Zapd Hails Historic Election of Five Leaders with Disabilities to Parliament

The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) has commended the election of five individuals with disabilities as Members of Parliament, hailing it as a historic milestone for the nation’s multi-party democracy.

The newly elected leaders representing persons with disabilities are Francis Kope of the UPND, Lazarus Hakalebula of the UPND, Misheck Mweemba of the UPND, Kennedy Phiri of the NRPUP, and Mumba Mubanga of the NRPUP.

ZAPD Public Relations Officer Rachael Chako expressed immense pride in the progressive development, noting that it presents a golden opportunity to give a powerful voice to over two million persons with disabilities in the August House.

The Agency praised President Hakainde Hichilema for laying a strong foundation as a pro-disability leader, expressing deep confidence that the Head of State will continue championing inclusion by appointing qualified persons with disabilities to other key positions of authority across government.

While overwhelmingly celebrating the achievement, ZAPD also highlighted the future opportunity to build on this foundation by ensuring comprehensive representation across all categories of disability outlined in the Persons with Disabilities Act, including physical, hearing, visual, albinism, and intellectual or mental disabilities.