Mongu | March 28, 2926 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) through its Western Province Office recently participated in the annual Kuomboka Ceremony of the Lozi people, reinforcing the Authority’s commitment to taking justice services closer to the community.

This year’s ceremony is being held under the theme, “Tukongote Wa Mwana Nangolo,” which translates to Nature’s Urge Towards Unity in Action. This theme is apt because, in nature, everything moves together. Rivers flow, birds fly in flocks, and wildlife migrates as one and unity ensures survival.

This is exactly what happens during Kuomboka. When the floodwaters rise, the Lozi people come together as one to support their King, the Litunga, as he moves from the flooded plains to higher ground. It is a powerful reminder that when we unite, we overcome challenges and thrive.

Held in Mongu, the ceremony provided a strategic platform for the NPA to engage with a wide cross-section of the public in a culturally significant setting.

For readers unfamiliar with the ceremony, Kuomboka is the premier traditional event of the Lozi people of Zambia’s Western Province. The name translates to “to get out of water.” Held annually at the end of the rainy season, typically in March or April, the ceremony marks the movement of the Litunga (King of the Lozi people) from his palace at Lealui on the floodplains to Limulunga on higher ground, as the Zambezi River rises.

The journey is led by the royal barge, Nalikwanda, accompanied by a flotilla of canoes and the beating of the royal Maoma drums. The ceremony attracts thousands of visitors from across Zambia and beyond, serving as a significant occasion for cultural preservation and national unity. Nathaniel Mubukwanu, the National Chairperson of the Kuomboka Kufuluhela National Committee, has officially disclosed the theme, emphasising its call for unity and collective responsibility.

During this year’s ceremony, the NPA established an exhibition stand where officers engaged with members of the public raise awareness on key areas of the Authority’s mandate.

The Kuomboka Ceremony stands as a show of the resilience, unity, and rich cultural heritage of the Lozi people. As the Litunga makes the historic passage from Lealui to Limulunga, the journey symbolises not only a physical migration but also the enduring strength of tradition and governance.

The National Prosecution Authority recognises the importance of traditional institutions in fostering stability and order within communities. Through its presence at Kuomboka, the NPA reasserts its commitment to supporting such cultural pillars while delivering justice services that protect the rights and safety of all citizens.

As the nation celebrates this cherished ceremony, the National Prosecution Authority extends its best wishes to the Litunga and the Lozi people for a safe and successful passage to higher ground.

May this year’s ceremony be filled with pride, unity, and a deep celebration of heritage. The NPA further, extends its appreciation to the Litunga and the Lozi people for preserving a tradition that continues to inspire unity and cultural pride across Zambia.

The participation of the NPA in the Kuomboka Ceremony highlights the Authority’s dedication to ensuring that justice services extend beyond the courtroom to reach all communities.

Through such engagements, the NPA continues to demonstrate that its presence is felt not only in judicial proceedings but also in the daily lives of the citizens it serves.