WE ARE NOW A NATIONAL PARTY

Provincial chairpersons back Hichilema’s second term, urge unity, discipline and focus on development

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24  -- 2-09-2026 -- The outcome of the 2026 presidential and general elections, in which the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) performed strongly, has broken the regional tag that has followed the party for years, with its presence in all 10 provinces giving it what the party describes as a national mandate to govern Zambia.

Speaking on behalf of the 10 provincial chairpersons, UPND Western Province Chairperson Akapelwa Mbangweta said the party’s electoral breakthrough, which saw it secure Members of Parliament and councillors across all 10 provinces, marked a defining moment in its political history.

Mr Mbangweta said the result had shown that the UPND was no longer a party confined to particular parts of the country but one that had won support from Zambians across the country.

“Ten out of ten. That is not a regional mandate. That is a national mandate,” Mr Mbangweta said at Fallsway Apartments in Lusaka yesterday.

He was speaking a day after President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for his second term of office.

Mr Mbangweta said the UPND’s victory should not only be measured by the number of seats it had won, but by how far the party had spread across the country.

He said the election had demonstrated that the UPND had moved beyond its traditional strongholds and earned the confidence of people from different parts of Zambia.

Mr Mbangweta said the provincial chairpersons were fully behind President Hichilema’s second term and the Government’s Growth Agenda, but stressed that the real work now was to make economic progress felt by ordinary Zambians.

He said the first five years of the UPND administration had been about putting the country back on its feet after inheriting an economy that was “on its knees”, weighed down by debt and other economic difficulties.

According to Mr Mbangweta, Government had made progress in strengthening the Kwacha, bringing down inflation and creating conditions for the economy to recover.

He also pointed to free education, increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF), restoration of meal allowances and bursaries as some of the measures that had laid the foundation for the second term.

“That was the foundation. This is the building,” he said.

Mr Mbangweta said the Growth Agenda should now move beyond political speeches and become something people could see in their homes, businesses and communities.

He said the success of the second term should be measured by the farmer who could make a decent living from agriculture, the trader whose business was growing, the teacher whose work was improving the lives of learners and the young person who could turn skills into a livelihood.

He echoed President Hichilema’s position that poverty could not simply be shared among citizens, but that the country had to produce wealth before it could be distributed.

Mr Mbangweta also called for an end to the bitterness that characterised the election campaign, saying the country could not remain divided now that the polls were over.

“The election is behind us. The posters will come down. The rallies are over. What remains is one country and one people,” he said.

He expressed concern over insults and attacks being traded on social media and appealed to the Church, civil society, traditional leaders and the media to help calm political tensions and promote unity.

Mr Mbangweta said the UPND was extending an olive branch to its political opponents, stressing that every Zambian had the right to vote for a party of their choice.

He said opposition parties should play their role by holding Government to account and offering constructive criticism, while those who wanted to join the UPND were welcome.

“If you choose to remain in the opposition, do so constructively, and offer the checks and balances that make governance stronger. If you choose to join us, the door of the UPND is open, and it is open in all ten provinces,” he said.

Mr Mbangweta said the UPND’s nationwide electoral performance had given it both a political and developmental responsibility, adding that the party must now repay the confidence placed in it by Zambians through improved livelihoods and economic growth.

HICHILEMA’S JOURNEY CANNOT BE STOPPED — MATAMBO

UPND Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Elisha Matambo said President Hichilema’s political journey had shown that a political project believed to be protected by God could not easily be brought to an end by opponents.

Mr Matambo said President Hichilema had gone through arrests, political persecution and several difficult moments during his years in opposition before eventually becoming Head of State.

He said the President’s journey should be a lesson to those who had continued to fight his leadership, arguing that he had survived circumstances that could have ended his political career.

“That which is of God cannot be stopped. It cannot be killed by anyone,” Mr Matambo said.

He claimed that President Hichilema had been arrested about 18 times and had faced several incidents in which his life was allegedly threatened.

Mr Matambo said the President’s long political struggle had demonstrated resilience and determination, and urged those who disagreed with his leadership to focus their energies on developing the country rather than trying to undermine him.

He defended the UPND Government’s record, particularly in mining and education, saying the administration had taken steps to revive economic activity on the Copperbelt.

Mr Matambo said more than 20,000 jobs had been created in the mining sector, while the number of children benefiting from education interventions had increased from about 600,000 to 1.2 million.

He also pointed to investment in health infrastructure, including major hospitals, as evidence that Government was putting resources into areas that directly affected people’s lives.

Mr Matambo said the Copperbelt had endured difficult economic times when uncertainty surrounded the mining industry, but that renewed activity in the sector was helping to bring life back into the province.

He called on Zambians to put political divisions behind them and concentrate on development.

Mr Matambo said President Hichilema was prepared to listen to criticism, but insisted that such criticism should be aimed at improving the country rather than creating unnecessary political fights.

“We will not allow a situation where people start moving in different directions. People should start moving in the same direction for the sake of this country,” he said.

He warned political leaders against insults and language that could divide Zambians, saying the country needed responsible leadership after the elections.

Mr Matambo also appealed to traditional leaders and the Church to remain neutral and help keep the peace.

“I want to appeal to our royal leaders, our chiefs. Those who are supposed to act as referees should remain referees. The Church should preach peace. It should not take sides,” he said.

He urged opposition leaders to accept that Zambia could only have one President at a time and use their platforms to offer constructive criticism rather than undermine national unity.

Mr Matambo said political competition should not be allowed to stand in the way of development.

“As Copperbelt, we will run side by side with him until the end,” he said.

MWALITETA WARNS UPND MEMBERS AGAINST HARASSING CITIZENS

UPND Lusaka Province Chairperson Obvious Mwaliteta warned party members against intimidating or harassing citizens, saying the ruling party would not tolerate behaviour that could bring President Hichilema and the UPND into disrepute.

Mr Mwaliteta said the UPND had come too far to allow a few individuals to damage its reputation by disrespecting ordinary people.

He said winning an election should not give anyone the licence to mistreat people because of their political affiliation.

Mr Mwaliteta urged party members to defend the UPND through its policies and record in Government instead of picking fights with citizens.

He said those who had been harassing people in markets, streets and other public places should change their behaviour because there was no room in the UPND for intimidation.

“We are not going to allow anyone to be removed from the bus station,” Mr Mwaliteta said.

He warned party members against taking the law into their own hands, saying political differences should never turn into personal attacks or intimidation.

Mr Mwaliteta said the UPND had a responsibility to protect ordinary Zambians and ensure that people could go about their daily business without fear.

He urged members to listen to President Hichilema and show discipline and responsibility now that the party had secured another mandate.

Mr Mwaliteta also praised President Hichilema for the political battles he had endured before entering State House, saying his journey should remind party members of the importance of perseverance, discipline and staying focused.

He cautioned that electoral victory should not make UPND members arrogant or disrespectful towards citizens.

“We have proved ourselves,” Mr Mwaliteta said, urging members to concentrate on building the country and serving the people instead of settling political scores.

He said the party would not remain silent if individuals used the UPND name to harass or intimidate citizens.

Mr Mwaliteta appealed to party members to remain close to ordinary Zambians and remember that political power should never take away a person’s sense of respect and humanity.

He said Zambia was entering another political phase in which leaders had a responsibility to create an environment where people could live, work and express themselves without intimidation.

“Whatever you think, it does not matter. Tomorrow is going to be different,” he said.

Mr Mwaliteta thanked party members for their support and urged them to remain united, disciplined and focused on the work ahead.