Tag Archives: United Party for National Development

21Aug/26

Blood and Copper in Zambia’s Stolen Election

August 21, 2026PoliticsBrian Mundubile, Context, George Chisanga, Hakainde Hichilema, Lusaka, Maambo Hamaundu, Makebi Zulu, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Presidents of Zambia, Trevor Mwamba, United Party for National Development, United States, Zambiaadmin

Independent Audit Exposes Systematic Tallying Discrepancies in 30 Constituencies of Zambia’s Presidential Vote

Fri, Aug 21 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — On August 18, 2026, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) declared the re-election of incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema (United Party for National Development – UPND) to a second five-year term. The official results indicated that Hichilema won 60.49% of the vote (2,965,326 votes), while his primary challenger, Brian Mundubile of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP)—representing the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance—secured 37.87% (1,856,222 votes). The ECZ reported an official voter turnout of 57.23% out of 8,786,300 registered voters. Hichilema praised the electorate for their trust, pledging to focus on national unity and development, while the opposition immediately rejected the results, alleging systematic irregularities and promising legal challenges. Continue reading →

04Aug/26

Bond Rallies and Blackouts in Zambia

August 4, 2026PoliticsBrian Mundubile, Edgar Lungu, Edgar Lungu.However, Fred M'membe, Given Katuta, Hakainde Hichilema, JOHANNESBURG, London, Lusaka, Makebi Zulu, Makozo Chikote, Miles Sampa, Nigeria, Presidency of Hakainde Hichilema, Presidents of Zambia, South Africa, United Party for National Development, UPND Alliance, Zambia, Zambian general electionadmin

Zambia’s 2026 Election: A High-Stakes Two-Horse Race Decided by Economic Squeeze and Drought

Tue , Aug 04 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Zambia’s general election on August 13, 2026, represents a pivotal, alliance-driven contest that will test the country’s democratic resilience and economic direction. Although fourteen presidential candidates are officially cleared to run, the election is fundamentally a two-horse race between incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and opposition challenger Brian Mundubile. Hichilema enters the race backed by an expanded 15-party UPND Alliance, leveraging the power of incumbency. His challenger, Mundubile—a 55-year-old lawyer, accountant, and former government chief whip—is running under the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) banner after unifying a highly fractured opposition under the Tonse–Pamodzi Alliance. Continue reading →

01Aug/26

Zambia’s 2026 battle over development receipts

August 1, 2026PoliticsConstituency Development Fund, Hakainde Hichilema, Iris Kaingu, Kaaba, McQueen Zaza, Michael Kaingu, Michael Sata, Muchende, Munir Zulu, Mwandi, Presidents of Zambia, Thom Shamakamba, United Party for National Development, Zambiaadmin

Sat, Aug 01 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The 2026 elections are unfolding within a

new governance paradigm that prioritizes decentralized development and performance-based outcomes over traditional dynastic patronage and performative rhetoric. The unprecedented expansion of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)—which increased allocations per constituency from K1.6 million in 2021 to K40 million in 2026—has made localized, tangible development the primary test of political legitimacy. Consequently, the path to public office in 2026 will likely be determined by a candidate’s proven record of local service, effective management of public resources, and engagement in evidence-based campaign discourse, rather than relying on hereditary claims or social media influence. Continue reading →

25Jan/26

A Democratic Sea Change: Africa’s 2026 Election Calendar

January 25, 2026PoliticsBenin, Bobi Wine, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Hakainde Hichilema, Libya, Morocco, Presidents of Zambia, Somalia, Uganda, United Party for National Development, UPND Alliance, Yoweri Museveni, Zambiaadmin

Jan. 25, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The year 2026 represents a critical juncture for African democracy as numerous nations across the continent prepare for high-stakes elections. While countries like Zambia and Benin face tests of institutional integrity and leadership transitions, others such as Uganda and Ethiopia continue to struggle with political suppression and internal conflict. Long-standing leaders in the Republic of the Congo and Djibouti maintain their grip on power, whereas nations like Libya and South Sudan face deep uncertainty regarding their ability to hold votes at all. These upcoming polls occur against a backdrop of regional instability and varying levels of public trust in the electoral process. Ultimately, the collective results of these contests will determine if the continent is moving toward a systemic democratic shift or further entrenched authoritarianism. Through this comprehensive calendar, the source highlights the diverse political challenges and socioeconomic factors shaping the future of African governance. Continue reading →

08Jan/26

2026 Risk Report: Zambia’s Economic & Political Outlook

January 8, 2026EconomyAngola, Barrick Gold, Copperbelt, Deficit spending, Edgar Lungu, Electoral Roadmap, First Quantum Minerals, Fred, Given Lubinda, Government spending, Hakainde Hichilema, Kelvin Fube Bwalya, Lusaka, Lusaka Securities Exchange, Nevers Mumba, Patriotic Front, Polling Percentage, Presidents of Zambia, Shanty Town, Situmbeko Musokotwane, Tanzania, the bank of zambia, Tonse Alliance, United Party for National Development, UPND Alliance, Zambiaadmin

Jan. 8, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — In 2026, Zambia is positioned at a critical crossroads, transitioning from a period of climate-induced shocks (2024–2025) into a high-growth phase. The economy is projected to expand by 6.4%, a “rebound” driven primarily by a resurgence in the mining sector as copper production targets 1 million metric tons. This growth is supported by a more stable agricultural season and a strategic pivot toward renewable energy to mitigate future power deficits. Continue reading →

26Oct/25

A brief profile: Who is Makebi Zulu?

October 26, 2025PoliticsBander, Death and state funeral of Edgar Lungu, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Edgar Lungu, Emanuel Mamba, Government of the Republic of Zambia v Lungu Family & Others, In Zambia, Lungu, Lusaka, Makebi Zulu, Malambo, Patriotic Front, Politics of Zambia, Presidents of Zambia, United Party for National Development, Zambia, Zuluadmin

Analytical Report: Makebi Zulu and the Zambian Constitutional Crisis

Mar. 23, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — This is a biographical record for Makebi Zulu, a prominent Zambian politician and lawyer. It details his professional qualifications, his tenure in the National Assembly, and his affiliation with the Patriotic Front party. It illustrates the intersection of individual political leadership and macroeconomic governance within the country.

Continue reading →

26Apr/23

The deregistration of the Patriotic Front (PF) would be a serious blow to democracy in Zambia.

April 26, 2023PoliticsIn Zimbabwe, Liberal International, Patriotic Front, Political organizations, Political parties, United Party for National Development, Zambiaadmin

April 26, 2023 /Politics/ – The Patriotic Front (PF) is a political party in Zambia that was founded in 2001. The party has been in power since 2011, but lost the 2021 general election to the United Party for National Development (UPND).

In February 2023, the Registrar of Societies issued a formal warning to the PF for failing to update its office bearers’ credentials. The Registrar gave the PF a deadline of 14 days to comply with the law, or face deregistration. Continue reading →