The Zambian political landscape is rapidly evolving as the nation prepares for the Tonse Alliance General Congress in December 2025, a critical precursor to the eagerly anticipated August 2026 general elections. The opposition alliance is actively seeking credible and sound presidential candidates to challenge the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).

Among the prominent figures emerging is Hon. Given Lubinda, who has unequivocally declared his availability to serve both the Patriotic Front (PF) and the broader Zambian populace. Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba lauded Lubinda's clarity of mind, passion, and honesty, highlighting his extensive experience in parliamentary and national politics. Lubinda is described as a defined political veteran, a credible statesman, an experienced former cabinet minister, and a devoted senior leader within the PF. His intellectual grounding and deep passion make him a formidable contender, with Dr. Zimba noting that their one-on-one conversations are consistently fruitful and politically sound. Lubinda also made it clear that he would not tolerate any discrimination based on his Lozi identity within the PF, asserting his right to leadership.

However, the Tonse Alliance is not without its internal challenges and external setbacks. Recent wrangles among its members have been a subject of widespread discussion. Mundubile, another hopeful within the Tonse Alliance, addressed these disputes during a Prime TV appearance, acknowledging that while such disagreements are normal in any political party, they have been exacerbated by playing out publicly rather than being resolved internally. He attributed the confusion to disagreements over the legitimacy of a recent meeting called by some alliance members, with many, including himself, questioning the authority of those who convened it. Mundubile emphasized that unlike other political entities that manage internal issues behind closed doors, the Tonse Alliance's issues have unfortunately spilled into the media, creating an impression of deep divisions. Despite these visible cracks, he maintained that the alliance remains a viable platform for the opposition to unite and present a strong challenge to the UPND in 2026. Mundubile urged alliance partners to prioritize the interests of Zambians over personal ambition, calling for maturity and discipline among members to rebuild trust and public confidence through unity and dialogue.

Adding to the challenges, the Tonse Alliance recently faced an electoral setback in the Lusaka High Court. Goodson Banda, the alliance's candidate in the Lumezi Parliamentary by-election, lost his petition challenging the election of UPND’s Lufeyo Ngoma. High Court Judge Charles Zulu dismissed the petition, finding that Mr. Banda failed to provide sufficient proof that the alleged electoral malpractices were directly linked to Mr. Ngoma. Furthermore, Mr. Banda’s claim that Mr. Ngoma was unqualified to contest, on the grounds of being a civil servant at the time of filing his nomination, was also dismissed. The Court determined that Mr. Ngoma was no longer a public officer, citing a letter dated March 15, 2025, which confirmed his non-renewal of employment as District Commissioner. Consequently, the Court declared Mr. Ngoma as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Lumezi Constituency, a seat that became vacant following the imprisonment of former MP Munir Zulu.

As the 2026 elections draw closer, the Tonse Alliance navigates a complex political landscape marked by leadership aspirations, internal disagreements, and electoral challenges. The path to crossing the 'UPND bridge' with confidence, as envisioned by its supporters, will undoubtedly depend on its ability to foster unity, address internal friction effectively, and present a compelling alternative to the Zambian electorate.