President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has issued a stern warning against violence, cadreism, and any form of lawlessness as the nation prepares for the general elections on August 13, 2026. During his Address to Parliament on National Values, Principles, and Morals, President Hichilema reiterated his administration's unwavering commitment to reinforcing democracy, fostering national unity, and establishing an inclusive governance framework for all Zambian citizens. He emphasized that ongoing efforts to amend the Constitution are specifically designed to ensure fair and equitable representation, particularly for historically underrepresented groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities, who will for the first time be guaranteed seats at various levels of governance.

President Hichilema stressed, "Under our watch, there is no room for political violence, there is no room for cadreism, and there is no room for lawlessness," asserting that national unity must remain central to all political discussions. He pledged that the upcoming 2026 general elections would be conducted in a free, fair, credible, and peaceful manner, urging all political stakeholders to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and respect for diverse viewpoints. He articulated that "Democracy thrives on ideas, persuasion, and respect for divergent views. We should always choose unity over division, dialogue and inclusion over conflict and insults, and progress over politicking."

Regarding anti-corruption efforts, President Hichilema reaffirmed his administration's dedication to good governance and integrity, highlighting significant strides in the prosecution of corruption and economic crimes. He noted that cases which previously took two decades or more can now be prosecuted within five months. Furthermore, he reported the country's largest-ever asset recovery, which includes real estate, vehicles, helicopters, and cash, with these recovered assets being returned to the Zambian populace.

The President also acknowledged the crucial role of traditional leaders in promoting national cohesion, commending their increased attendance at each other’s traditional ceremonies as a sign of growing unity. He recalled a significant meeting with all traditional leaders at the Mulungushi International Conference Center, underscoring continued efforts to foster national unity. Additionally, he explained that the amended Constitution would expand the number of seats in the National Assembly, thereby enabling more citizens, especially vulnerable groups, to actively participate in governance and access opportunities. He further stated that decentralisation and the equitable distribution of national resources are being accelerated through enhanced instruments, such as the substantially increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Addressing social concerns, President Hichilema expressed deep concern over the rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). He outlined government measures to combat this issue, including the establishment of a national call centre, one-stop centres, and fast-track courts. He implored victims, their relatives, and communities to report all GBV incidents, emphasizing that the law must always prevail. He also extended commendation to traditional leaders, the church, and other stakeholders for their support in fighting these vices, while expressing continued concern regarding divorce rates, emphasizing that "Loving, caring, strong families are the foundations of a responsible and strong nation." On the issue of human trafficking, President Hichilema acknowledged Zambia's geographical challenges but confirmed that the UPND administration has fully operationalised the Department of Anti-Human Trafficking under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. This department, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, is spearheading efforts to completely eradicate human trafficking.