Neither Hichilema nor Mundubile will accept defeat in these elections – Caritas

Caritas Zambia has indicated that both UPND […]

Caritas Zambia has indicated that both UPND presidential candidate who is also Zambia’s incumbent President, Hakainde Hichilema, and NRPUP and Tonse Alliance presidential candidate, Brian Mundubile, are unlikely to accept losing this year’s general elections because both camps appear to have developed strong confidence in their chances of winning.

In three days, on 13 August 2026, Zambians will go to the polls to elect the country’s President who will rule until 2031, alongside Members of Parliament, Mayors and Ward Councillors.

Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Caritas Zambia Executive Director, Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga said the level of political confidence among the two leading camps could make acceptance of the final results difficult, regardless of which side emerges victorious.

“Neither of the two leading political camps appears prepared psychologically to accept defeat,” said Fr. Mapulanga.

He added that the difficulty could stem from the confidence each camp has built around its perceived level of support, with candidates and their supporters believing they have done enough groundwork to win the election.

“We Zambians don’t accept results, we always say something and if the UPND were to lose, the party could face difficulties accepting the outcome because of the support it believes it commands,” said Fr. Mapulanga.

However, he told ZBT that the same challenge could confront the opposition, arguing that Mundubile’s camp could also struggle to accept defeat because it believes its campaign has generated sufficient support to secure victory.

“Even the other, when they look at how they have garnered support, they think that they have done enough work and they have enough support and they are actually winning,” said Fr. Mapulanga.

Meanwhile, he called on political parties and their supporters to avoid overconfidence and accept the outcome of the democratic process, warning that Zambia’s traditional peace during elections should not be taken for granted.

“We just pray that there will be no violence and that political leaders should promote messages that encourage peace rather than statements capable of provoking violence,” said Fr. Mapulanga.

Article by Philip Sinkala, Philip is a Journalist & news analyst at the Zambian Business Times – ZBT