Mundubile’s manifesto defends record and readiness as he courts youth and women voters

Brian Mundubile, the presidential candidate fronting a unified opposition alliance, has defended his record as a former government minister and set out why he believes Zambians are turning to him with the country a week away from a tightly watched election. He emphasizes his dedication to the youth and women of Zambia as central to the vision of Mundubile.

Speaking to the BBC’s Ndingidaba Jonah Buyoya, Mundubile said his manifesto places women and youths at the centre of economic transformation, rather than at the margins, and argued this focus explains the size of the crowds gathering at his rallies. He described it as evidence that ordinary Zambians are responding directly to his message, which is rooted in the principles of Mundubile.

Mundubile, a lawyer and member of parliament, was until recently a relatively low-profile figure. He was selected to unify a fragmented opposition that includes remnants of the former ruling Patriotic Front alongside several smaller parties, positioning him as the leading challenger to President Hakainde Hichilema.

His platform centres on the cost of living, unemployment and what he describes as insufficient improvement in the daily lives of ordinary Zambians, despite what he characterised as macroeconomic stabilisation under the current administration.

Pressed on whether he represents a credible alternative given that he served as a minister in the Patriotic Front government that voters removed from power over similar grievances, Mundubile said the difference he brings is a personal commitment to the country and its people.

“If you look at our manifesto, we are focused on Zambians,” he said. “Our manifesto moves women and youths from the margins to the centre of policy and economic transformation, making the youths the main drivers of that economic transformation.”

Buyoya put to him that affection for the country alone could not resolve problems the Patriotic Front had failed to address while in office, including high inflation and public unrest linked to party structures at the time. Mundubile responded by pointing to what he described as pro-poor policies pursued during his party’s tenure.

“We were very clear about what we wanted to do for the poor. We actually pursued pro-poor policies. We began by investing in backbone infrastructure,” he said. He added that the previous administration had focused on health, education and water and sanitation improvements in rural areas, and that the next phase required investment to industrialise the economy and create employment.

On inflation, Buyoya noted that the rate stood at 24 percent when Mundubile’s government left office, compared with 6.5 percent under the current administration, a figure that suggests the economic position has improved since he was last in government. Mundubile did not dispute the inflation figures directly but argued they do not reflect what households are experiencing.

“Look at the cost of fuel today, the cost of food today. The food basket is around 12,000 today. And look at the average pay of a civil servant,” he said. “There are lived realities on the ground that do not speak directly to what we’re getting through lower inflation and other figures.”

Asked how he would fund the large-scale youth and women-focused programmes central to his manifesto, Mundubile said the issue was one of priorities rather than availability of resources. He pointed to government reserves as evidence that funds exist within the economy.

Buyoya countered that the previous Patriotic Front administration had itself borrowed extensively while in office, raising the question of whether the state can always be assumed to have money on hand. Mundubile responded by pointing to copper prices, which he said were trading at around six thousand US dollars per tonne during his time in government and have since roughly doubled.

“Clearly the mine receipts are a lot more than we’re getting back then,” he said. “This is sometimes where we need to sit down with the mining houses. We need to get a fair return, we need to get a fair share, especially from these improved prices.”

Mundubile’s comments come as campaigning intensifies ahead of polling day, with both camps making closing arguments to an electorate weighing continuity against change. His emphasis on renegotiating returns from the mining sector points to a funding strategy that would rely heavily on higher revenue from copper exports rather than new borrowing, should he win the presidency

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Hot this week

Government to continue working with traditional leaders August 4, 2026 0 Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Lawrence Mwanza, has reaffirmed Government's... Feature Politics

President Hichilema underscores continued development August 4, 2026 0 President Hakainde Hichilema has underscored his government's resolve to... General News

President Hichilema accords Late Dr Zyuulu official funeral August 4, 2026 0 President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded an official funeral for... General News

98th agriculture show exhibited value- added products August 4, 2026 0 Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show Society, Vice President, Ishmael... Sports

Samukonga misses 400m defence August 3, 2026 0 Team Zambia concluded its participation at the Glasgow 2026...

Topics

Government to continue working with traditional leaders 0 Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Lawrence Mwanza, has reaffirmed Government's... Feature Politics

President Hichilema underscores continued development 0 President Hakainde Hichilema has underscored his government's resolve to... General News

President Hichilema accords Late Dr Zyuulu official funeral 0 President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded an official funeral for... General News

98th agriculture show exhibited value- added products 0 Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show Society, Vice President, Ishmael... Sports

Samukonga misses 400m defence 0 Team Zambia concluded its participation at the Glasgow 2026... General News

2026 Agriculture Show, exhibited innovation and technological products – Show goers 0 Show goers and exhibitors at the just-ended 98th Zambia... General News

Mbala Central and Saise Constituencies ballot papers arrives 0 The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has delivered ballot... Headlines

Mukandila: “What Is It That They Are Scared Of” – ECZ Under Fire 9 Zambia's Electoral Commission is hiding the names of its...

Related Articles

Mukandila: “What Is It That They Are Scared Of” – ECZ Under Fire

Kambwili urges ECZ to enforce campaign timetable evenly across all candidates Headlines August 3, 2026

Chungu’s continued detention alarms MMD, Amnesty International

Chief Mumena Ordered To Pay K600,000 To Torture Victims

Cancer Diseases Hospital reopens after US$31 million upgrade

Popular Categories