ZamRus Southern Province coordinator Shira Katunya has become Mazabuka Central Ward councillor after going unopposed in Zambia’s 2026 local government elections.
By The Zambian Economist Analyst
Key Takeaways
- Shira Katunya Shillah is the new councillor for Mazabuka Central Ward in Southern Province.
- A May 2026 report listed her among five UPND candidates who went unopposed in Mazabuka after nominations closed.
- ZamRus identifies Katunya as its provincial coordinator for Southern Province.
- Her council term will be judged by how effectively she represents residents and contributes to local service delivery.
The Zambia-Russia Graduates Cultural Association has congratulated Shira Katunya Shillah following her election as councillor for Mazabuka Central Ward.
Katunya, who is also identified by ZamRus as its Southern Province coordinator, entered the council without a contested ward ballot after standing unopposed.
Her move into local government places her in a role where public expectations will centre on representation, council oversight and the everyday services that shape life in Mazabuka Central Ward.
Katunya went unopposed in Mazabuka Central Ward
A report published on 23 May 2026 listed Katunya among five United Party for National Development candidates who went unopposed in Mazabuka District. The list also included the district’s mayoral candidate and candidates for Kaonga, Nega Nega and Nachipoma wards. The Zambian Observer, citing Byta FM.
An unopposed election means a candidate secures the position after no rival completes nomination for that contest. It removes the need for a competitive ward vote, but it does not reduce the responsibilities attached to the office.
For Katunya, the result marks the beginning of public accountability rather than the end of a campaign. Residents will expect access to their representative and evidence that ward priorities are being raised within the municipal council.
From ZamRus coordination to local government
ZamRus is an association connecting Zambians who studied in Russia and the former Soviet Union. The organisation promotes cultural ties, professional networking and community participation among its members.
As the association’s Southern Province coordinator, Katunya has held a position that involves maintaining links with members and supporting activities within the province. Her election now extends that public-facing work into formal local government.
The two roles are different. ZamRus is a professional and cultural association, while a councillor holds a public mandate and is accountable to residents. Katunya will therefore have to keep community representation at the centre of her council work.
What residents will expect from the new councillor
Ward councillors are the most immediate political representatives for many residents. They take local concerns into council deliberations, participate in decisions affecting municipal programmes and communicate council actions back to their communities.
In Mazabuka Central Ward, the practical agenda is likely to include the condition of local roads and drainage, waste collection, public spaces, trading areas and access to council information. The specific priorities should be set through engagement with residents rather than assumed from outside the ward.
Katunya’s performance will ultimately be measured by responsiveness, attendance and whether residents can see progress on the issues they raise.
ZamRus congratulates its Southern Province coordinator
In its congratulatory message, ZamRus said Katunya’s election reflected her dedication, leadership and commitment to serving people.
The association wished her success as she begins her council duties and urged her to serve with excellence.
The message also presents her election as an example of ZamRus members taking part in community leadership beyond their professional and academic networks.
The work begins after the congratulations
Winning a council position unopposed provides certainty before polling day, but it also creates an early obligation to build trust with all residents, including those who may not share the councillor’s political affiliation.
Katunya now has an opportunity to establish a clear channel for ward concerns, report regularly on council decisions and make her public priorities measurable.
The congratulations mark the achievement. Her record in office will determine what the achievement means for Mazabuka Central Ward.
Editor’s note: The personal and organisational information and image used in this profile were obtained from ZamRus. The article was rewritten by The Zambian Economist for publication. ZamRus retains credit for the information and image used. The unopposed-election context is supported by a Byta FM report republished by The Zambian Observer on 23 May 2026.
Related coverage: Read more from our Leadership & Governance and Feature sections.
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