Rufunsa District witnessed a significant milestone in community empowerment as Government officially handed over Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans to selected beneficiaries, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth at grassroots level.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Honourable Minister Sheal Mulyata reaffirmed Government’s commitment to decentralised development under the New Dawn Administration led by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema. The Minister noted that the enhancement of CDF from K1.6 million to K28.3 million per constituency was a deliberate move to ensure that citizens, especially in rural areas like Rufunsa, directly benefit from national resources.
The Minister highlighted the visible impact of CDF in Rufunsa District, citing several 2025 CDF Community Projects that are transforming service delivery. Among the completed projects are the construction of a one by three (1×3) classroom block and supply of desks at Chaola Primary School, the construction of a three-bedroom staff house and installation of a solar power system at Kamilulu Health Post, as well as the construction of a rural health post at Kamwensha, including the supply of solar power, medical equipment, and essential health accessories, among many other projects across the district.
However, the Minister issued a stern warning to CDF loan beneficiaries, emphasizing that the funds are not handouts but Government loans meant to revolve and benefit many more citizens.
“These loans must be paid back. Government will not hesitate to invoke the law against beneficiaries who misuse the funds or fail to repay. The law will be on your case,” the Minister warned.
The Minister stressed that failure to repay the loans would undermine Government’s empowerment agenda and deny other deserving citizens the opportunity to access funding. Beneficiaries were therefore urged to invest the funds strictly in the approved projects, maintain proper records, and honour their repayment obligations on time.
The event was attended by key district leadership, including District Commissioner Mr. Richard Mabena, Council Chairperson Mr. Kennedy Mailon, Council Secretary Bishop Venture Kafula, and the District Health Director, Dr. Peter Kakonde, who all commended Government for prioritising rural development and improving access to social and economic services in Rufunsa.
In his remarks, the District leadership echoed the Minister’s call for accountability, encouraging beneficiaries to become ambassadors of success by repaying the loans and demonstrating that CDF can sustainably uplift communities when properly managed.
The handover ceremony marked another step in Government’s ongoing efforts to empower local communities, strengthen accountability, and ensure that development resources deliver lasting impact in Rufunsa District.