No gay rights - UPND

ZAMBIA will remain a Christian nation and therefore the UPND has no agenda to enact gay rights, UPND Alliance Media Director Thabo Kawana has said.

FDD president Edith Nawakwi has accused the UPND government of instigating by-elections through petitions to get enough numbers in parliament to pass controversial laws including gay rights.

But Mr Kawana said President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed that Zambia shall remain a Christian nation.

He said the principles that govern Zambia as Christian nation would not allow for recognition of gay rights.

"President Hakainde Hichilema has time and again reaffirmed that Zambia shall remain a Christian nation and we are

all aware that principles of Christianity do not recognise gay rights," Mr Kawana said.

He said Ms Nawakwi's assertions were unfounded.

Mr Kawana explained that losing candidates who had petitioned the results of the August 12 elections had done so in their individual capacities.

He said it was important to understand that petitioning the results does not automatically entail that petitioned seats will be nullified.

"In as much as it is their democratic rights, people who have petitioned the results have done so in their individual capacities," he said.

Mr Kawana urged Ms Nawakwi to reflect and reclaim her position as one of the mothers in Zambian people politics and not a cadre that she has reduced herself into.

He said Zambians expected Ms Nawakwi to be depository of knowledge so that young people who have gone to parliament can learn from.