LCK Freedom Foundation formally launched Friday, 16th January 2026 by State Counsel (SC) Musa Mwenye and LCK Executive Director Ms. Linda Kasonde
Linda C. Kasonde LCK Foundation Executive Director
LCK Freedom Foundation officially launched
Press Release Saturday 17th January 2026
The LCK Freedom Foundation was formally launched on Friday, 16th January 2026, marking a significant milestone in Zambia’s human rights, constitutional, and public interest landscape.
The launch ceremony, held in Lusaka, brought together legal practitioners, civil society leaders, governance stakeholders, academics, media representatives, and partners committed to the advancement of constitutionalism, the rule of law, and democratic governance in Zambia.
The Guest of Honour at the event was Mr. Musa Mwenye, State Counsel (SC), who delivered a keynote address on the theme: “Guarding the Constitution: The Lawyer’s Role in Defending Zambia’s Democracy.” State Counsel Mwenye’s remarks underscored the critical role of the legal profession in safeguarding constitutional order and resisting the erosion of democratic norms.
In her welcoming address, the Executive Director of the LCK Freedom Foundation, Ms. Linda Kasonde, emphasized that the Foundation is not being built from scratch but from experience — drawing on years of professional engagement in law, governance, and public interest work to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
Ms. Kasonde noted that the Foundation is being launched at a time when the world is facing increasing challenges to the rule of law and good governance, including the rise of authoritarian tendencies. Ms. Kasonde cautioned that Zambians must remain vigilant and not passive actors in how they are governed, citing Bill 7 as an example of troubling trends toward legal authoritarianism.
What to Expect from the LCK Freedom Foundation
Going forward, the LCK Freedom Foundation will focus on:
• Strategic and Public Interest Litigation aimed at protecting and defending Zambia’s Constitution, strengthening accountability, and advancing fundamental rights and freedoms.
• Research and Advocacy on constitutional, governance, and human rights issues to inform public discourse and influence policy in a constructive and principled manner.
• Capacity Building and Mentorship, including fellowship programmes designed to nurture a new generation of lawyers and activists committed to constitutionalism and democratic governance.
• Scholarships and Educational Support (in the medium to long term) to ensure that talented young people passionate about justice and public service are not held back by financial barriers.
The Foundation seeks to work collaboratively with the legal profession, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders in strengthening Zambia’s democratic institutions and promoting a culture of constitutional respect.
About LCK Freedom Foundation
The LCK Freedom Foundation is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to defending constitutionalism, promoting the rule of law, and advancing public interest through strategic litigation, research, advocacy, and leadership development.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact: info@lckff.co.zm
ENDS
Speech of the Executive Director – LCK Freedom Foundation launch
Friday, 16 January 2026
Distinguished Guest of Honour, Mr. Musa Mwenye, SC;
Our Esteemed Panelists;
Representatives of Civil Society, the Legal Profession, and the
Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Friends of the LCK Freedom Foundation; Good evening.
It is both a privilege and a profound responsibility to stand before you today on this historic occasion — the official launch of the LCK Freedom Foundation. This is a moment that I do not take lightly, for it represents not only the birth of a new organisation, but the culmination of years of reflection, learning, struggle, and unwavering commitment to justice, constitutionalism, and the rule of law in Zambia.
We are deeply honoured that our Guest of Honour, Mr. Musa Mwenye, SC, has graciously accepted our invitation to be with us this evening. Your presence lends gravitas to this occasion, and we are grateful for your longstanding contribution to the legal profession and to the defence of constitutional democracy in our country. We also extend our sincere appreciation to all our distinguished guests — representatives of the Law Association of Zambia, civil society, government, academia, the media, and our partners — for taking time out of your busy schedules to stand with us today. Your presence affirms that the values we are championing resonate far beyond this Foundation.
Why the LCK Freedom Foundation? Why now?
Some may ask: why establish a new organisation when there are already many institutions doing important work in this space? My answer is simple and honest: I am not starting from scratch — I am starting from experience.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working in different capacities within the legal and human rights landscape in Zambia and beyond. I have seen firsthand both the power and the limitations of existing structures. I have witnessed inspiring victories for justice, but also frustrating setbacks.
I have learnt hard lessons about strategy, sustainability, collaboration, and the realities of public interest work in a challenging environment.
Those experiences have shaped my understanding of what is needed at this critical moment in our country’s history. The LCK Freedom Foundation is born out of that experience — not as a duplication of existing efforts, but as a complementary and focused intervention designed to address specific gaps and strengthen our collective fight for constitutionalism and good governance.
The Purpose and Focus of the LCK Freedom Foundation
The core purpose of the LCK Freedom Foundation is to protect and defend Zambia’s Constitution through strategic and public interest litigation, research, advocacy, and capacity-building.
We believe that the courts remain a vital arena for the defence of democracy. Strategic litigation is not just about winning cases; it is about setting precedents, shaping jurisprudence, and ensuring that constitutional principles are not hollow promises but living, enforceable rights. Through carefully selected cases, we aim to challenge laws, policies, and actions that undermine fundamental freedoms, erode democratic institutions, or concentrate power in ways that are inconsistent with our constitutional order.
But litigation alone is not enough.
We are equally committed to nurturing the next generation of constitutional defenders. Our Foundation will establish fellowship programmes aimed at young lawyers, activists, and researchers who are passionate about justice, human rights, and democratic governance. Through mentorship, practical training, and exposure to real public interest work, we hope to cultivate a new crop of principled, fearless, and intellectually rigorous advocates.
In the longer term, we aspire to provide scholarships for promising individuals who may lack the financial means to pursue legal or policy careers dedicated to public service. Talent should not be constrained by poverty. If we are serious about safeguarding our democracy, we must invest in the people who will carry that responsibility into the future.
The Global and Local Context
Ladies and gentlemen, we launch this Foundation at a time when the world is going through deeply challenging times in terms of the rule of law and good governance. Across continents, we are witnessing the steady rise of authoritarian tendencies — sometimes overt, sometimes subtle, often disguised in legal language and procedural formalities.
Courts are being undermined, civil society is being constrained, media freedoms are being curtailed, and constitutions are being amended not to expand liberty, but to entrench power. This is not a distant problem; it is a reality that affects us here in Zambia.
This global trend should serve as a wake-up call. It reminds us that democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires vigilance, courage, and active participation from citizens, lawyers, activists, and institutions alike. We cannot afford to be passive spectators in how we are governed. Silence and complacency in the face of injustice are themselves forms of complicity.
Bill 7 and the Warning It Represents
In this regard, Bill 7 stands as an unfortunate and troubling example of what many have described as “legal authoritarianism.” While presented under the guise of reform, its implications for accountability, democratic participation, and the balance of power have raised serious concerns among lawyers, civil society, and ordinary citizens.
This is precisely the kind of issue that underscores why organisations like the LCK Freedom Foundation are necessary. We must not be complacent. We must interrogate laws, challenge abuses of power, and ensure that constitutional safeguards are not weakened under the pretext of efficiency or stability.
Our Foundation does not exist to oppose for opposition’s sake. We exist to uphold principle. We exist to defend the Constitution — not as a political document, but as the supreme law that binds us all.
A Call to Action
As we embark on this journey, we do so with humility, determination, and a deep sense of responsibility. The work ahead will not be easy. There will be resistance, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But we are guided by the conviction that a just, democratic, and accountable Zambia is worth fighting for.
We invite all of you — legal practitioners, activists, scholars, students, and concerned citizens — to walk this path with us. Whether through collaboration, mentorship, funding, or solidarity, your support will be invaluable.
Closing Appreciation
Once again, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Guest of Honour, Mr. Musa Mwenye, SC, for honouring us with your presence and for your continued leadership in the legal profession.
To our panelists, partners, supporters, and all our distinguished guests — thank you for believing in this vision and for being part of this significant moment in the life of the LCK Freedom Foundation.
May this Foundation serve as a beacon of justice, a guardian of the Constitution, and a training ground for the defenders of Zambia’s democracy.
Thank you.
God bless you.
God bless the LCK Freedom Foundation. And God bless the Republic of Zambia.
Linda Kasonde
Executive Director
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