Zambia's 2026 Election: Hichilema Wins Second Term as Rival Seeks UN Protection
Hakainde Hichilema has secured his second term as President of Zambia, winning the 2026 general elections with a significant majority over Brian Mundubile. His victory, officially declared by the ECZ, comes as he pledges inclusive governance, national unity, and continued focus on economic development for Africa's second-largest copper producer.
Hakainde Hichilema has been declared the winner of Zambia's 2026 general election by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), securing a second five-year presidential term after defeating his closest rival, Brian Mundubile of the NRPUP.
Hichilema polled 2,965,326 votes, representing about 61.5% of the total, while Mundubile secured 1,856,217 votes, giving the incumbent a margin of 1,109,109 votes. The results followed the tallying of votes from all 226 constituencies, although the process was temporarily suspended after the ECZ reported violence against election officials and the theft of ballot papers.
In his victory message, Hichilema thanked Zambians for renewing their confidence in his leadership and praised the peaceful conduct of the election. He also promised to govern inclusively, assuring citizens who voted for opposition candidates that his administration would continue working for the entire country.
His first term was dominated by efforts to address Zambia's debt crisis, including debt restructuring and attempts to attract investment into the country's strategically important copper industry, making the election a significant test of his economic record.
Hichilema urged Zambians to move beyond political divisions and focus on economic development, invoking the national motto, “One Zambia, One Nation, One People.” While the incumbent celebrated his victory, Mundubile had raised concerns about the conduct of the election and, according to reports, subsequently sought refuge with a UN agency, adding another layer of controversy to the post-election period.
Hichilema's victory now gives him another five years to pursue his economic agenda as Zambia seeks to strengthen its position as Africa's leading copper-producing economy.