THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA INTEGRITY COMMITTEE (IC)
The University of Zambia (UNZA), as the nation’s premier institution of higher learning, recognizes its responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency. In accordance with Section 6 (1) (a) (iv) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, UNZA has established an Integrity Committee (IC) to lead initiatives aimed at preventing corruption and other unethical practices within the University.
This is an affirmation by the University that corruption undermines academic excellence, erodes public trust, and compromises the values upon which our institution is built. UNZA stands as a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and ethical leadership, and abhors all forms of corruption in its operations, teaching, research, and service to society. The Committee works closely with all stakeholders within and outside the university to ensure that institutional operations are guided not only by rules and procedures but also by ethical thinking and moral responsibility.
The primary mandate of the Integrity Committee is to foster a culture of integrity by spearheading corruption prevention initiatives and promoting ethical conduct across UNZA. The Committee’s work is guided by a clear set of responsibilities, including:
- Corruption Prevention Leadership: Developing, implementing, and enforcing anti-corruption best practice frameworks.
- Complaints Management: Receiving complaints and ensuring timely, fair, and transparent redress.
- Audit Engagement: Collaborating with internal and external audit teams to strengthen accountability.
- Risk Assessment: Conducting corruption risk assessments to proactively identify vulnerabilities.
- Planning and Reporting: Planning and execution of corruption prevention and education initiatives and preparing comprehensive reports to cabinet through the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
- Administrative Action: Recommending administrative measures and referring cases to relevant authorities when necessary.
ANTI-CORRUPTION CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS' 2025 INTEGRITY AWARD
The 2025 Integrity Committee Chief Executive Officers’ Forum
The 2025 Integrity Committee Chief Executive Officers’ Forum was held on 23 December 2025 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre under the theme “Mainstreaming Corruption Prevention in Public and Private Sector Institutions: Fostering a Culture of Integrity
– Setting the Tone from the Top.” The forum brought together senior leaders from public and private institutions to reinforce ethical leadership, accountability, and corruption prevention. On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the University of Zambia was represented by the Director, Quality Assurance. Mrs. Daphene P.S. Chabu, Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission, provided an update on the Integrity Committee Programme, noting progress made as well as challenges affecting effectiveness, including limited funding, low awareness of mandates, and weak monitoring mechanisms. She emphasized the need to strengthen accountability and institutional support to improve performance.
The Keynote Address, delivered by Dr. Oliver Kalabo, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, on behalf of the Secretary to Cabinet Mr. Patrick Kangwa, reaffirmed Government’s directive for all institutions to establish Integrity Committees and submit regular reports. He highlighted the critical role of Integrity Committees as frontline mechanisms against corruption and stressed the importance of leadership responsibility, compliance with directives, and the establishment of ethics and anti-corruption portfolios. He noted that 267 Integrity Committees have been established nationwide and officially declared the forum open.
Mrs. Kavimbe of ABSA Bank underscored the role of leadership in embedding integrity within organisational culture, emphasizing that ethical leadership, visibility, accountability, and institutional support for Integrity Committees are essential for good governance and reputation management.
The forum also recognised outstanding performance among Integrity Committees, with ZESCO Limited, the Zambia Revenue Authority, and the Rural Electrification Authority emerging as national integrity champions, being the top-performing institutions overall, alongside several government ministries and agencies recognised for excellence.
In addition to institutional integrity awards, the Anti-Corruption Commission presented Director General’s Individual Integrity Awards to ten recipients, including Ms. Chilala M. Hamakona of the University of Zambia’s Legal Department. The award recognises Ms. Hamakona’s exceptional commitment to ethical conduct and professionalism in the execution of her duties. One outstanding case is that in 2024, she managed the conveyancing of a stand in Kitwe which was a significant acquisition for the University’s Nursing School. During the process, she discovered a discrepancy in statutory fees with the Ministry of Land’s system calculating a fee significantly lower than the expected 1% of the purchasing price. Despite the pressure from others to seize the opportunity for personal gain by retaining the surplus funds, she chose to act with integrity and verified the fee discrepancy with Ministry of Lands and ultimately returned K81, 481.58 to the University’s account. Her conduct exemplifies ethical leadership, accountability, and dedication to safeguarding public resources, and serves as a model of integrity within the University and the wider public service. The Vice Chancellor, management, staff and members of the UNZA Integrity Committee would like to congratulate her for this well-deserved award!
Ms Hamakona, with Dr O. Kalabo, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Ms D. Chabu, Anti-Corruption Director General, Dr J. Tambatamba and other officials from the award ceremony.