Kenneth Ng’ona of the United Party for National Development (UPND) has issued a stern warning to party members who may be contemplating contesting as independent Members of Parliament in the upcoming 2026 general elections, labeling such actions as “thievery of the highest order.” Ng’ona revealed that the party has received numerous reports indicating that both aspiring candidates and even current sitting MPs are informing their constituents of their intent to run as independents or under different political parties should they fail to secure adoption by the UPND.

In a statement released in Lusaka, Ng’ona unequivocally cautioned that any individuals harboring such intentions must refrain from leveraging the UPND’s name, its established structures, or the image of President Hakainde Hichilema in their campaigns. He stressed that doing so would be a deceptive and misleading act. Ng’ona highlighted the overwhelming popularity of the UPND, noting, “We have many UPND aspiring candidates across the 116 districts. This is because the UPND is currently the most attractive party of choice for those seeking election in the 13 August 2026 polls.”

The party has also observed a significant increase in the size of campaign teams, with some constituencies registering more than five aspiring candidates. According to Ng’ona, this phenomenon is a clear indicator of the party’s rapid growth and its burgeoning national appeal. He further asserted that the party’s expansion is evident even among those who previously held it in low regard, stating, “This shows how big the party has become. Even those who once looked down on it are now part of the mighty UPND led by President Hakainde Hichilema.”

Ng’ona, who himself is an aspiring candidate for the Chipili Constituency, underscored the critical need for the party to ensure consistent and harmonized messaging among all aspiring candidates. He argued that conflicting or inconsistent campaign messages could undermine democratic principles within the party. Consequently, the UPND is calling upon all aspiring candidates to formally pledge their loyalty. Ng’ona articulated this call for commitment: “Let every aspiring candidate who is a genuine UPND member accept to vow that if they are not adopted, they will give 100 percent support to the adopted candidate, and 100 plus 1 percent support to President Hakainde Hichilema in the 2026 elections.” This initiative aims to consolidate party unity and prevent internal divisions ahead of the pivotal 2026 polls.