UNZA Lecturer Backs President's Constitutional Reform Approach

University of Zambia lecturer Dr. O'Brien Kaaba has defended President Hakainde Hichilema's establishment of a Technical Committee to guide constitutional reform, dismissing concerns about its legality.

Dr. Kaaba's remarks come in response to Professor Cephas Lumina, who has questioned the legal basis for the Technical Committee tasked with gathering public input and proposing constitutional amendments.

In a statement to ZNBC News, Dr. Kaaba emphasized that the focus should be on developing a comprehensive and effective constitutional review process that learns from previous shortcomings, rather than getting caught up in debates about the Committee's legal standing.

Dr. Kaaba explained that a Technical Committee and a commission of inquiry are functionally equivalent—both serve in an advisory capacity to the executive branch without legislative powers. He noted that neither body can implement changes independently; both are limited to providing recommendations to the President.

On October 21, 2025, The Government established a Technical Committee on Constitution Amendments to review and benchmark constitutional best practices. Nationwide consultations are now underway to gather public input on critical electoral and governance reforms.

The clarification supports the government's pragmatic approach to constitutional reform, suggesting that President Hichilema's initiative represents a thoughtful, consultative pathway toward improving Zambia's constitutional framework.