'No Going Back, Defend Gains’

HH urges Zambians ahead of August polls, saying the election is about protecting economic recovery, free education, peace, and national unity achieved under the UPND administration.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 --- (22-05-2026)  -- President Hakainde Hichilema has urged Zambians to defend the gains made under the United Party for National Development (UPND) government, declaring that “there is no going back” as the country heads towards the August 13 presidential election.

Addressing supporters shortly after his presidential nomination papers were accepted, Mr Hichilema said the forthcoming election was not just about electing leaders, but about protecting the progress and promises fulfilled during the UPND administration’s four years and nine months in office.

“The election is about protecting the promises fulfilled and there is no going back,” Mr Hichilema told cheering supporters during a rally held after his successful nomination.

The President said he had officially accepted the nomination and was ready to contest the election with the support of the Zambian people in order to continue building a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.

Mr Hichilema said Zambia has remained one country since independence and stressed that preserving peace and unity must remain a national priority.

He warned against politics of division, hatred and violence, saying the country had previously experienced serious political and social divisions before the UPND formed government in 2021.

He said when his administration took office, many national systems had broken down and the country had lost confidence both locally and internationally.

However, he stated that government had since restored economic stability, rebuilt institutions and regained international recognition.

The Head of State cited the growth in Zambia’s foreign reserves to 6.4 billion dollars as evidence that the economy was recovering and investor confidence returning.

He also pointed to renewed activity in the mining sector, saying reopened mines had created employment opportunities for many unemployed Zambians.

Mr Hichilema further defended the government’s free education policy, describing it as one of the administration’s major achievements aimed at giving equal opportunities to children from all backgrounds.

He said more than 2.5 million learners had benefited from free education, while the removal of examination fees for some pupils had helped many vulnerable families keep their children in school.

“Education is an equaliser,” the President said, while promising that every province would eventually have a university to expand access to higher education and skills development.

The President also highlighted the recruitment of health workers, teachers and security personnel as part of efforts to improve service delivery and create jobs for citizens.

He added that all the ten provinces and 116 districts were now witnessing development through increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations, which have enabled communities to undertake local projects and improve infrastructure.

Mr Hichilema said industrial growth was steadily improving and pledged that his government would continue implementing policies aimed at strengthening the economy and ensuring development reaches every part of the country.

At the same time, the President warned that some political groups that allegedly took away people’s freedoms and rights in the past were attempting to regroup and return to power.

He maintained that Zambia should not return to an era characterised by political violence, intimidation and economic instability.

Mr Hichilema also called for peaceful campaigns ahead of the elections and urged political players and citizens to reject hate speech and violence.

He said individuals engaging in violence would be acting on their own because the UPND leadership does not support violent conduct.

The President further assured the nation that the upcoming elections would be free and fair, adding that Zambia’s democracy must continue to grow through peaceful political competition.

He accused some opposition leaders currently complaining about violence of having introduced political violence during previous administrations, but insisted that the country would not return to such practices.

Mr Hichilema concluded by urging all UPND members to actively campaign for the ruling party, saying every supporter should become a campaign manager ahead of the August polls.

He called on citizens across the country to mobilise support for what he referred to as the “Bally” candidature as the UPND intensifies its re-election campaign.