‘Bally Has Fixed It’
NACOSU defend Hichilema’s record, citing free education, CDF bursaries, restored meal allowances and social protection programmes as evidence of improved opportunities for young people.
Student leaders have rallied behind President Hakainde Hichilema's re-election bid, crediting the UPND government's free education policy, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursaries, restored meal allowances and expanded social protection programmes with transforming the lives of thousands of young Zambians and opening opportunities that were previously beyond their reach.
The National Council of Students Union (NACOSU) has urged students across the country to vote for President Hichilema in the August 13 general election, saying the ruling UPND administration has delivered tangible development and created a better environment for young people.
The endorsement comes as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of Zambia's general election, with youth and student constituencies emerging as key voting blocs.
Nsonga said similar endorsement activities had already been held in several provinces, including the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces, and would continue in other parts of the country.
He said the Copperbelt had experienced positive changes under the current administration, particularly in the artisanal mining sector.
According to Nsonga, individuals previously referred to as "Jerabos" are now recognised as small-scale miners and are working together with students in what he described as a more peaceful and organised environment.
"We have witnessed many developments as young people," Nsonga said, adding that students appreciated the progress made under President Hichilema's leadership.
He thanked the various speakers and youth leaders who participated in the Lusaka event, saying the willingness of students to attend without coercion demonstrated genuine support for the President.
Nsonga also referred to President Hichilema's previous remarks describing students as his "best friends," saying young people should reciprocate by supporting him in the upcoming election.
He urged students across the country to vote for President Hichilema on August 13, 2026, arguing that the administration had fulfilled many of its promises and was now focused on building on those achievements.
Drawing on the UPND's 2021 campaign slogan, Nsonga said the message had evolved from "Bally Will Fix It" to "Bally Has Already Fixed It, and Bally Will Build It," which he said reflected the government's record and future plans.
Addressing the media, Sakala said students would not be intimidated by criticism on social media for expressing support for government programmes that had directly improved their lives.
He accused some political opponents of attacking civil servants after previously removing student meal allowances and bursaries during their time in government.
"Our parents who are civil servants have supported many of us through school for years. Today, there are people who want to target them after having previously removed meal allowances and stripped students of bursaries at the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University and other learning institutions," Sakala said.
Sakala described the gathering of students in support of government programmes as emotional, saying it reflected the confidence young people now have in participating freely in national affairs.
He said students no longer feared attending political gatherings because the country was enjoying a more peaceful political environment.
"There was a time when wearing certain political colours could make someone a victim of political violence. Today, young people are free to attend political rallies without fear, and that is a sign that peace has returned," he said.
The student leader said President Hichilema's rallies continue to attract large numbers of young people because they appreciate policies such as free education, school feeding programmes, restored meal allowances and expanded access to bursaries.
Sakala said investment in education was an investment in Zambia's future economy, healthcare system and national development.
Citing Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Sakala said students at the institution were now benefiting from government bursaries.
"For the first time, many students at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University are receiving bursaries because the President believes every deserving young person should have an opportunity to pursue higher education," he said.
He urged Zambians to support initiatives that expand educational opportunities instead of criticising students who publicly acknowledge the benefits they have received.
Sakala said students had no reason to apologise for supporting programmes that restored meal allowances and expanded bursary opportunities.
"People insult us and say we are speaking because of food. Yes, we are speaking because meal allowances that were taken away have now been restored. Those allowances helped many students who previously struggled to survive at university," he said.
He also praised the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), saying it had accelerated development across all 156 constituencies.
According to Sakala, CDF has financed the construction of schools, procurement of ambulances, police vehicles and council utility vehicles, while also expanding bursary opportunities for students.
He further credited the government with increasing Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries to more than 1.6 million vulnerable people, saying the initiative was improving livelihoods in many communities.
Sakala said constitutional reforms had also allowed for the creation of additional constituencies, which he said would improve service delivery in previously oversized constituencies.
He maintained that although not everyone may directly benefit from every government programme, millions of Zambians were already experiencing positive change through free education, social protection and CDF-funded projects.
Sakala also commended government for strengthening the country's economic position, saying improved foreign exchange reserves had boosted investor confidence.
Sakala concluded by announcing that NOCSU and many student leaders would campaign for President Hichilema's re-election ahead of the August 13 General Election.
"We have resolved to support President Hakainde Hichilema because his government has invested in young people through free education, bursaries, meal allowances and the Constituency Development Fund. On August 13, we shall cast our vote for his re-election," Sakala said.
Meanwhile, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University Student Union President and NACOSU Secretary for Universities Brian Malambo said he supports President Hichilema's re-election because of what he described as a clear and well-structured national development vision.
Malambo said the President's development agenda is anchored on education, which he believes is the foundation for achieving broader economic transformation.
He said the free education policy, student bursaries and increased access to higher education are producing a generation of skilled citizens capable of driving Zambia's future growth.
According to Malambo, an educated population will help realise government targets in agriculture, renewable energy, electricity generation, tourism and industrialisation.
He said better education equips citizens with knowledge to improve agricultural productivity through irrigation and modern farming methods, strengthening food security and increasing household incomes.
Malambo further noted that the government's ambition to significantly increase electricity generation would attract more investment, support industrial expansion and create employment opportunities for young people.
He also said a more educated workforce would help unlock Zambia's tourism potential by encouraging entrepreneurship, investment in hospitality infrastructure and greater participation in the tourism value chain.
Malambo argued that these interventions collectively contribute towards government's long-term economic vision, including expanding the country's economy and improving living standards.
He said continued investment in education ensures opportunities are available to all young people regardless of their economic background, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Speaking during the media briefing, Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC) Student Union President Godfrey Kayombo said he is a living example of how the CDF bursary scheme has transformed lives.
Kayombo said he comes from a remote rural area where access to communication and educational opportunities was limited, making it difficult for him to pursue higher education.
He explained that after the UPND government expanded CDF bursaries, he successfully applied and is now pursuing his studies with government support covering tuition, accommodation and meals.
Kayombo said the opportunity has not only enabled him to obtain professional engineering skills but has also nurtured his leadership abilities, culminating in his election as Student Union President at Lusaka Business and Technical College.
He said the education he has received will allow him to return to his village, establish businesses and create employment opportunities for other young people.
Kayombo credited President Hakainde Hichilema's education reforms for changing the course of his life, saying many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are now able to realise their dreams through access to education.
He added that he has encouraged fellow students and people from his community to support the continuation of programmes that have empowered many youths across the country.
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