Zambian President Hichilema Electrifies Campaign Trail Amid UPND Candidate Questions

President Hakainde Hichilema has embarked on an aggressive campaign tour across Lusaka Province, following earlier sweeps through the Copperbelt and Eastern Province, bringing his high-octane energy to massive rallies in Luangwa, Rufunsa, and Chongwe. His campaign message ahead of the 13 August 2026 General Election consistently emphasized a clear vision for Zambia's future, urging citizens to vote exclusively for officially adopted United Party for National Development (UPND) candidates and ensure continued national development.

A central theme of President Hichilema's addresses was a stark contrast between the current 'New Dawn Government' and the previous regime. He reminded voters of the challenges Zambia faced before 2021, including widespread political violence, thuggery in public spaces, and the prohibitive cost of education due to school fees. He declared firmly, "You must be annoyed as you go to vote, there is no Alebwelelapo (no coming back for the former regime). I am already here," highlighting the restored peace and the elimination of discriminatory practices. The President noted the positive transformation, stating that police officers, once associated with teargas, are now seen as friends to the citizens, and that Zambia must keep moving forward, with "no going back."

President Hichilema showcased his administration's key achievements and future promises. He championed the Free Education Policy, which has successfully returned over 2.5 million Zambian children to classrooms and has been further strengthened by being signed into law. This policy was framed not merely as a social welfare measure but as a crucial, long-term economic investment. Additionally, his government has continued to service the country's inherited debt while simultaneously undertaking significant recruitment drives, bringing thousands of teachers, nurses, police officers, and members of the Zambia Army, Zambia National Service, and other public service workers into employment. In rural areas like Luangwa, he pointed to expanded road networks, new clinics, improved cell phone connectivity, and active measures to resolve human-animal conflicts. He further promised an enhanced Farmer's Input Support Programme (FISP) to boost agricultural output and teased upcoming cattle loans to empower local livestock farmers.

Despite the President's confident messaging, the campaign faced specific local challenges, particularly concerning candidate adoptions in Chongwe. Sylvia Masebo, addressing a gathering before President Hichilema's speech, acknowledged growing confusion among supporters regarding the UPND's adopted candidates in Chongwe East and Chongwe West. She specifically asked the President to remind party members that Dr. Martin Chasha is the official UPND parliamentary candidate for Chongwe West, not Independent candidate Dr. Alexious Mulemba. In Chongwe East, Masebo noted, "Kuno ku Chongwe East kuli kamusikana ka Anita Kamanga. Bonse bakamba ati ndiye bana chitiwa adopt ku UPND," indicating public belief that Anita Kamanga was the adopted candidate, while Hon. Sylvia Masebo was the officially adopted one. Both Independent candidates, Anita Kamanga and Dr. Alexious Mulemba, have continued their campaigns, maintaining they were strong performers in local primaries but were ultimately not adopted by the party, leading to closely watched contests.

In Luangwa District, a local UPND official brought forth pressing concerns to President Hichilema. The official highlighted that residents were grappling with poverty, daily network disruptions lasting up to 15 hours, and persistent human-animal conflicts that destroyed crops, leading to food scarcity. Despite these challenges, the official expressed the district's happiness at seeing the President, whom they last saw during campaigns in 2021, and assured him of their votes, asserting that "what happened in 2021 will not happen [to you]," referencing the defeat suffered by the Patriotic Front (PF) in the last elections. President Hichilema concluded his rallies by urging Lusaka Province voters not to fragment the national consensus by electing opposition or independent candidates, emphasizing that other provinces had already consolidated behind the UPND banner. With the opposition reportedly bogged down in internal battles, the UPND Alliance's unified grassroots machinery is firing on all cylinders, aiming to dictate the terms of the 2026 race and maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel for Zambia's transformation.