Hichilema urges Mwandi voters to reject independent candidates and Tonse Alliance President Hakainde Hichilema has urged voters in Mwandi Constituency to support only United Party for National Development (UPND) candidates in the August 13 elections, warning against voting for independent candidates and the Tonse Alliance while outlining government development plans for the area. Mwandi, 31 […]

Hichilema urges Mwandi voters to reject independent candidates and Tonse Alliance

President Hakainde Hichilema has urged voters in Mwandi Constituency to support only United Party for National Development (UPND) candidates in the August 13 elections, warning against voting for independent candidates and the Tonse Alliance while outlining government development plans for the area.

Mwandi, 31 July – President Hakainde Hichilema has appealed to residents of Mwandi in Western Province to rally behind UPND candidates in the forthcoming August 13 elections, insisting that the ruling party remains the only vehicle capable of delivering continued development.

Addressing a campaign rally on Thursday, the Head of State cautioned voters against supporting independent parliamentary aspirants, specifically naming Iris Kaingu, whom he said had ignored advice from the party leadership not to contest as an independent candidate.

Mr Hichilema said he had personally urged Kaingu to support the UPND’s adopted parliamentary candidate, Sibeso Sefulo Kakoma, but she declined.

“I called her and advised her not to stand as an independent but to support the party’s adopted candidate. She refused. If someone cannot listen to the party president, how will they listen to the Republican President when they are elected to Parliament?” he said.

The President further criticised individuals who join the UPND shortly before elections and immediately seek adoption as candidates, describing such conduct as a sign of greed and a lack of respect for long-serving party members.

“You have just come, you want to be adopted and you don’t respect the people you have found. It means you are greedy,” he said, adding that discipline and order were essential within the party and the country.

Mr Hichilema also urged voters not to return former Patriotic Front (PF) leaders to power through the Tonse Alliance, arguing that the alliance represented the same leadership Zambians rejected in the 2021 general elections.

He claimed that a return of the former ruling party would reverse progress and revive political violence and disorder experienced during previous administrations.

The President told supporters that re-electing UPND candidates would enable his government to accelerate infrastructure and social development projects across Mwandi and surrounding districts.

Among the projects he highlighted were the tarring of the Sesheke-Mwandi-Kazungula-Livingstone Road, continued works on the Mwandi-Mulobezi Road, construction of a fully-fledged government hospital in Mwandi, and the establishment of more boarding secondary schools to improve access to education, particularly for girls.

He also pledged to complete district administration infrastructure, improve the Simunguma-Sichili-Luampa Road, increase the number of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), construct more dams to support agriculture and livestock farming, and continue upgrading Mongu Airport to international standards.

Mr Hichilema said elections should not be treated lightly, arguing that citizens’ votes had already enabled the government to introduce free education, skills training programmes, school bursaries and other public services.

“Your vote is important. Don’t take elections as a joke because it is your vote that has brought free education, desks in schools and bursaries. There is still more work to be done, and your vote will allow us to continue delivering development,” he said.

He concluded by urging the electorate to vote exclusively for UPND candidates in the August 13 polls.

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