Catholic bishops led by Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu this morning visited incarcerated UPND President Hakainde Hichilema at Kabwe’s Mukobeko maximum prison.

The priests arrived at Mukobeko Correctional facility around 09:45 hours and were ushered in shortly afterwards. Full details of the Bishops meeting with HH have not yet been revealed, but the purpose of the visit was to propose dialogue with President Edgar Lungu with the aim of ending the prevailing political tension in the country.

On July 14, Archbishop Mpundu led a 14-member team of Catholic Bishops to a meeting with President Lungu at State House where they urged the Head of State to consider meeting HH.

The Catholic Bishops appealed to the President to humble himself, put the country first and seriously consider engaging in a genuine face-to-face dialogue with the opposition leader.

“Your Excellency is quite alive to the historic reconciliation that took place between the two late presidents Levy Mwanawasa and Michael Chilufya Sata. We would like the State to facilitate our visit to Mr Hakainde Hichilema so that we can deliver the same message to him, namely to humble himself, open the door and pursue the path towards genuine reconciliation,” said Archbishop Mpundu said.