53 Views President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday used a campaign rally in Chilubi District, Northern Province, to take a direct swipe at former PF Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube, describing him as “a bad person” who misled residents during his time in office. Addressing thousands of UPND supporters who gathered at Chilubi Boma, President Hichilema […]

53 Views

President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday used a campaign rally in Chilubi District, Northern Province, to take a direct swipe at former PF Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube, describing him as “a bad person” who misled residents during his time in office.

Addressing thousands of UPND supporters who gathered at Chilubi Boma, President Hichilema said the 2026 General Elections are about choosing leaders with integrity and a record of service, not those who “spent years insulting people and doing nothing for the community.”

“We have seen leaders who come here, make noise, and disappear,” President Hichilema said. “Mulenga Fube is a bad person. He was given a chance to serve you but he failed. He chose insults over development.”

The President did not elaborate on specific allegations but said voters in Chilubi deserved representatives who would work with government to bring roads, clinics, and jobs.

The Chilubi rally was part of the UPND’s ongoing mobilization in Northern Province ahead of next year’s elections.

The President highlighted government projects in the district, including rural electrification, fisheries support, and road maintenance on the Luapula corridor.

“We are not here to fight,” he said. “We are here to deliver. If someone spent 5 years doing nothing and only talking, why give them another chance?”

He urged residents to “vote for people who respect you and who will sit on the government side to bring development.”

The UPND is fielding a new candidate for Chilubi Constituency in 2026.

Crowds responded with chants and ululations, with many wearing party regalia and waving flags.

Local chiefs in attendance were thanked by the President for supporting government programs.

Mulenga Fube served as PF MP for Chilubi before losing the seat.

He has in recent months been vocal on radio and social media, criticizing the UPND administration on issues of cost of living, governance, and democratic space.

The former MP has not yet responded to the President’s remarks.

The exchange highlights the increasingly personal tone of campaigns as parties position themselves for 2026.

President Hichilema has in recent rallies shifted from policy messaging to directly naming opposition figures he says failed Zambians.

Political analyst Dr. Neo Simutowe says such remarks are aimed at framing the election as a choice between “delivery and noise.”

According to him, when a sitting president names a former MP at a rally, it energizes the base but also raises the temperature.

Meanwhile, civil society groups are on record urging all political leaders to keep campaigns issue-based.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops last month called on parties to avoid insults and focus on policies that address poverty and unemployment.

At the rally, President Hichilema also warned cadres against violence and intimidation, saying “we want a peaceful election where the people decide.”

He ended his address by asking Chilubi residents to give UPND another term to complete ongoing projects.

“Judge us by the schools we are building, the clinics we are upgrading, and the roads we are working on,” he said. “Don’t go back to those who only came to shout.”

The President is expected to continue his tour of Northern Province this week with stops in Kaputa and Nchelenge.