Zambia's Election Fury: Hichilema's Campaigns Ignite Clashes, Mundubile Fights Back Against Cadre Attacks

Zambia is gearing up for its General Election on August 13, a contest that President Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) has framed as pivotal for the country's future. Addressing a campaign rally in Mambwe District, Eastern Province, President Hichilema claimed that nine of Zambia’s 10 provinces had already resolved to support the UPND. He urged citizens to consider the progress made under his administration over the past four years and eleven months, contrasting it with the record of the previous government, the Patriotic Front (PF). His campaign message emphasizes continuity and moving forward, warning against going "backwards and begin 'dununa reverse'."

President Hichilema highlighted several achievements and pledges during his campaign, including the employment of thousands of volunteer teachers and nurses, with promises for more opportunities. He assured farmers delivering maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) of payments within two days through mobile money, a measure he personally instructed to expedite. Furthermore, he championed free education, peace, and stability, asserting that markets and bus stations, previously marred by violence under the PF, are now peaceful under the UPND. For Eastern Province, he outlined development projects such as establishing a full-time skills training college in Mambwe, bringing a university closer to residents, and rehabilitating the Chipata-Mfuwe Road. He also acknowledged growing concerns about human-animal conflict, particularly involving elephants, and pledged government measures to protect communities while safeguarding tourism.

The President's campaign strategy has involved intensive swings through key electoral battlegrounds. Following a two-day tour in Eastern Province, he immediately returned to the Copperbelt, a province with over 1.29 million registered voters historically decisive in presidential outcomes. Unlike UPND strongholds in Southern, Western, and North-Western provinces, the Copperbelt is considered competitive, where small voter swings can significantly impact results. His consistent message across these areas focuses on renewing his mandate to consolidate reforms already underway, citing increased Constituency Development Fund allocations, expanded Social Cash Transfers, and ongoing infrastructure investments.

However, the campaign landscape has been marked by allegations of political violence, particularly against Brian Mundubile, the presidential candidate for the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) and leader of the Toonse Pamodzi Alliance. Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, reported being attacked by alleged UPND cadres in Western Province, with their motorcade reportedly blocked and stoned while in full view of Zambia Police. Videos circulating online appear to show a confrontation where individuals believed to be Mundubile’s bodyguards drew firearms as tensions escalated. Zulu publicly called on President Hichilema to intervene, asserting that such violence undermines Zambia's democracy and vowing that the NRPUP team would not be deterred from engaging voters.

Brian Mundubile's campaign has faced numerous challenges, described as being opposed by significant domestic and foreign forces. He has had to run on a lesser-known political party ticket, allegedly due to the abuse of state institutions by his main rival to prevent him from using more familiar party brands. Furthermore, his ability to mobilize funds has been severely hampered, with claims that the state seized his passport to prevent international fundraising and pressured local businesses supporting him. Denied permission to use airspace for campaign activities, Mundubile has relied on road travel across all 116 districts and 10 provinces in less than 60 days, operating on a shoestring budget sustained by donations from struggling citizens. He has also reportedly faced a significant media blackout from public and much of the private media, compounded by regular arrests of his campaign officials and high-level defections under alleged financial inducements. Despite these obstacles, his campaign's primary strength is described as the