263 Views President Hakainde Hichilema has accused his main challenger in the August 13 general election, Brian Mundubile, of misunderstanding agriculture and of making populist promises that will hurt ordinary Zambians if implemented. Speaking at a mega rally in Kalomo District in Southern Province this afternoon, President Hichilema took aim at Mundubile’s pledge to raise […]

263 Views

President Hakainde Hichilema has accused his main challenger in the August 13 general election, Brian Mundubile, of misunderstanding agriculture and of making populist promises that will hurt ordinary Zambians if implemented.

Speaking at a mega rally in Kalomo District in Southern Province this afternoon, President Hichilema took aim at Mundubile’s pledge to raise the maize price to K500 per 50 kilogramme bag, saying the promise was made without regard for the wider impact on the economy and the cost of living.

“Mundubile doesn’t understand farming, which is why he is promising K500 per 50kg bag of maize,” President Hichilema told the crowd. “If you raise the price of maize like that, everything else will go up. Meal-meal will go up. Transport will go up. The cost of living will go up. That is not helping the people,” he said.

He said Zambians should be wary of politicians who make sweet-sounding promises during campaigns without explaining how they will be paid for or what the consequences will be.

According to the President, a maize price set at K500 would distort the market, increase government spending on subsidies, and eventually push food prices higher for consumers.

President Hichilema reminded the gathering in Kalomo that his administration has been working to stabilize agriculture by expanding support programs, improving input distribution, and creating more predictable markets for farmers.

He said the focus should be on increasing productivity and reducing the cost of production, not on setting prices that look good on paper but create problems down the line.

The rally in Kalomo drew large crowds, and the President used the platform to thank residents for turning out in numbers.

He said the support showed that people in Southern Province understood the work his government has done since 2021 and wanted to see it continue.

The President told the crowd that the 2026 elections were about choosing between continuity and a return to the past. He referenced infrastructure projects, expansion of free education, recruitment in health and education, and increased Constituency Development Fund allocations as examples of what his government had delivered. He said those programs needed more time to reach full scale.

On agriculture specifically, he said the government was determined to support farmers through better access to inputs, extension services, and markets, but that it had to be done in a way that did not trigger inflation. He argued that a sudden jump to K500 per bag would benefit a few farmers in the short term, but would hurt consumers, most of whom are also poor, and would put pressure on the treasury.

He also cautioned voters against candidates who he said had a record of violence and intimidation. “Don’t vote for those who used to beat you,” he said, drawing cheers from supporters. He said peace, security and stability had been maintained under his administration and that this environment was necessary for investment and development to continue.

The President said his government would keep pushing for more jobs, more support for agriculture, more roads, and more economic activities across all provinces. He said Southern Province in particular had seen road works, dam construction, and social programs that were part of a broader plan to spread development beyond the major urban centers.

With thousands turning up in Kalomo, President Hichilema said the message from Southern Province was clear. He urged voters to go out in large numbers on polling day to ensure that the programs started in the last five years are not interrupted.

In a statement posted after the event, President Hichilema wrote directly to the people of Dundumwezi and Kalomo.

Thank you very much nobana Dundumwezi, Kalomo in Southern Province for coming in thousands to our meeting today.

On voting day, go and vote for us in huge numbers so that the great things we are doing and yet to do can continue in our Country. Don’t vote for those who used to beat you.

We will continue delivering for you. We are determined to continue developing our Country.

More jobs. More Agriculture support. More roads and many other economic activities will continue to be delivered.

Peace, security and stability is assured and this is why all of you nobana Kalomo should vote for us this August.

We love you. We care for you. We will continue delivering for you.

God Bless you all.

Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia.