President Hakainde Hichilema has reappointed Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane as Minister of Finance and brought back Mulambo Haimbe into Cabinet following the United Party for National Development (UPND)’s triumph in the August 13 general elections.

The appointments come after President Hichilema secured a second five-year term, setting the stage for a new phase of his administration focused on economic growth, investment, job creation and improved public service delivery.

Dr Musokotwane, who went unopposed in the recent general elections, has been returned to the Finance Ministry, while Haimbe, who did not retain the Lusaka Central parliamentary seat, has also bounced back into government.

The President announced the appointments following the swearing-in of four ministers, with more appointments expected as he continues to constitute his Cabinet for the new term.

“Today, we swore in Hon. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance; Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hon. Dr Gilbert Siame, Minister of Green Economy; and Hon. Prof. Roma Chilengi, Minister of Health,” President Hichilema said.

The return of Musokotwane to the Finance portfolio places an experienced economic policy figure at the centre of the government’s efforts to drive the Grow Zambia Agenda.

His reappointment comes as Zambia seeks to sustain economic recovery, attract investment, expand production and translate economic gains into improved livelihoods for citizens.

Haimbe’s return to Cabinet follows his decision not to seek reelection but nominated, demonstrating that the new administration’s ministerial appointments extend beyond elected Members of Parliament.

In addition to Musokotwane and Haimbe, President Hichilema appointed Dr Gilbert Siame as Minister of Green Economy and Prof. Roma Chilengi as Minister of Health.

Prof. Chilengi brings extensive experience in public health, epidemiology, vaccinology and clinical research.

He has served as Director General of the Zambia National Public Health Institute and as Special Assistant to the President on Health.

His work has included vaccine research in rotavirus, malaria, HIV, cholera and Shigella, as well as disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and national health policy.

His appointment brings to the Health Ministry a combination of medical expertise, clinical research and public health leadership.

Grow Zambia Agenda

President Hichilema charged the newly appointed ministers to put the nation first, uphold integrity, reject corruption and work hard and smart to deliver measurable results for Zambians.

“Our charge is clear: advance the Grow Zambia Agenda by putting our nation first, upholding integrity, rejecting corruption, working hard and smart, and delivering measurable results for our people,” he said.

The President emphasised that public office is a trust and called on every ministry to become an engine of the Grow Zambia Agenda.

“Public office is a trust. Every Ministry must therefore become an engine of the Grow Zambia Agenda, driving investment, production and job creation, strengthening public services and translating economic growth into improved livelihoods for every Zambian,” President Hichilema said.

He further called for collective action in implementing the Government’s development priorities.

“Together, let us work, produce and Grow Zambia,” he said.

More appointments awaited

The four ministerial appointments mark the beginning of the process of constituting the Cabinet for President Hichilema’s second five-year term.

More ministers are being awaited following the UPND’s victory in the August 13 general elections, with the President expected to announce further appointments as he shapes his administration’s leadership team.

The anticipated appointments are expected to determine the leadership of remaining ministries and support the implementation of the Government’s economic and social development agenda.

President Hichilema concluded by wishing the new ministers God’s blessings as they take up their responsibilities.