486 Views KAFUE, LUSAKA PROVINCE, July 12, 2026 – President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to construct a dual carriageway from Lusaka to Kafue Bridge if re-elected, saying the project will ease congestion on one of Zambia’s busiest transport corridors. Addressing a campaign rally in Kafue on Sunday, the United Party for National Development (UPND) presidential […]

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Hichilema addressing a rally in Kafue

KAFUE, LUSAKA PROVINCE, July 12, 2026 – President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to construct a dual carriageway from Lusaka to Kafue Bridge if re-elected, saying the project will ease congestion on one of Zambia’s busiest transport corridors.

Addressing a campaign rally in Kafue on Sunday, the United Party for National Development (UPND) presidential candidate said the Road Development Agency (RDA) had already been instructed to commence preparations for the project.

“From Lusaka to Kafue Bridge, we shall put a dual carriageway and the RDA has already been directed,” President Hichilema told supporters.

The Lusaka-Kafue Road forms part of the strategic Lusaka-Livingstone Highway, one of Zambia’s busiest road networks linking the capital to Southern Province, the tourism city of Livingstone, the Chirundu Border with Zimbabwe and onward to regional markets in Southern Africa.

The highway is heavily used by commuter traffic, public transport operators and long-distance trucks transporting goods to and from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Increased traffic volumes over the years have resulted in frequent congestion, particularly between Lusaka and Kafue.

President Hichilema said expanding the road into a dual carriageway would improve traffic flow, enhance road safety and support economic growth by facilitating the movement of people and goods.

Long-standing proposal

The proposed dual carriageway has been on Zambia’s infrastructure agenda for several years.

During the Patriotic Front (PF) administration, former President Edgar Lungu also announced plans to upgrade the Lusaka-Livingstone Road into a dual carriageway. However, the project had not commenced before the PF left office following the 2021 General Election.

The latest pledge by President Hichilema signals a renewed commitment to the project as infrastructure development continues to feature prominently in the ruling party’s campaign message ahead of the August 13 General Election.

The UPND has campaigned on its record of road construction, economic reforms, free education and agricultural support programmes, while promising to accelerate infrastructure development if granted a second term.

With just weeks remaining before polling day, both the ruling party and the opposition have continued unveiling infrastructure and economic development pledges as they seek to persuade voters across the country.