By Chinoyi Chipulu
The Ministry of Health will distribute two million condoms during the Kuomboka traditional ceremony for the Lozi people slated for this weekend in Mongu district, Acting Western Province Health Director Dr. Loveday Mwila has disclosed.
Dr Mwila said 300,000 condoms had already been distributed across 46 hotspots, including bars and guesthouses.
According to a statement issued by Western Province Principal Public Relations Officer Mwakoi Njekwa, Dr Mwila stated that the Ministry of Health had heightened healthcare services during the forthcoming ceremony.
“We have outlined several activities focusing on disease surveillance, health education, and prevention. In particular, we have planned to distribute two million condoms during this period, with over 300,000 already distributed across 46 hotspots, including bars and guesthouses.
Moreover, we have reinforced prevention services in surrounding districts, including Limulunga, Nalolo, Senanga, and Kalabo,” Njekwa stated.
Meanwhile, Western Province minister, Kapelwa Mbangweta announced that President Hakainde Hichilema was set to attend the ceremony on Saturday. He encouraged the general public to turn up in large numbers for this year’s traditional event as the nation continued to make strides in promoting its cultural values and tourism sector.
Mbangweta urged attendees to uphold order, innovation, and unity of purpose as the country celebrated the Lozi cultural heritage.
“To the business community, this is the opportune moment to invest heavily in the hospitality industry to accommodate the influx of visitors to our province, not only during the Kuomboka Ceremony but beyond,” he stated.
Mbangweta said this during a joint press briefing with the Zambia Police, the Ministry of Health, and the Western Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday.
And the Chamber of Commerce president, Imanga Kayama urged the business community to uphold fair pricing during the ceremony. He said that businesses should avoid exploiting visitors but instead offer reasonable prices.
This year’s Kuomboka Ceremony would be commemorated under the theme: “Kuomboka – More Than Just a Migration.”
