170 Views Police in the capital on Thursday tried to block a planned roadshow by National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, NRPUP, Presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu in Lusaka’s Kabwata Constituency. The convoy, which was moving through Kabwata in the afternoon, was stopped by officers who cited public order […]

170 Views

Police in the capital on Thursday tried to block a planned roadshow by National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, NRPUP, Presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu in Lusaka’s Kabwata Constituency.

The convoy, which was moving through Kabwata in the afternoon, was stopped by officers who cited public order concerns, but later allowed them to proceed.

The two leaders’ convoy was accompanied by hundreds of supporters chanting party slogans.

“We came to talk to the people of Kabwata,” Mundubile told supporters as he walked through the market.

“If they block the vehicles, we will walk. If they block the roads, we will use our feet. This campaign is about you.”

Apparently, party officials said the roadshow is part of efforts to mobilize urban voters ahead of the August 13 General Elections.

No arrests were reported and police maintained a heavy presence along the route.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has urged all political parties to notify authorities in advance of any public campaign activities and to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The incident comes as the NRPUP and Tonse Alliance intensify messaging around governance and change.

Meanwhile, former Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili, who is campaigning with the Alliance, has dismissed claims that a government led by Mundubile would simply be a repeat of previous PF administrations under former Presidents Edgar Lungu or Michael Sata.

Speaking during a radio interview, Kambwili argued that every President has the constitutional authority to appoint a Cabinet and assemble a team that reflects their own vision and policies.

“The power in this country is vested in the President to create a team that is going to help him. This team is called the Cabinet,” Kambwili said.

“So, if there was President Edgar Lungu when the PF ruled, and then Brian Mundubile comes into power the way he is coming into office on August 13, Mundubile and his party have a manifesto and policies on how to serve Zambia.”

He added: “He also has people to help him drive the agenda that he wants to drive for his country. It is totally different from President Lungu’s administration. It is totally different from President Michael Sata’s administration.”

Kambwili further rejected assertions that individuals who served under the previous PF administration would inevitably perform poorly if returned to government.

“To try and say that because they failed under President Lungu, if you elect those that were under him they will also fail, is a lie,” he said.

“Had they been doing this in Europe, those countries would not have developed. The reason those countries have developed is when a party is removed from office, they go back to the drawing board, learn from their mistakes and when they return, they govern exceptionally well.”

He accused those pushing the narrative of trying to protect their own stay in power.

“So, for a person to insist that those who left office should therefore not come back, just know that person is a liar. All he wants is to protect his stay in power,” Kambwili said.

Thursday’s standoff in Kabwata is the latest sign of heightened campaign activity in Lusaka, a key battleground province. Earlier this week Mundubile led a roadshow through Kamwala, Chilenje, Mtendere and Matero ahead of a major rally.

The UPND government maintains that all parties are free to campaign within the law, while opposition leaders have raised concerns about access and police conduct during mobilization.

Governance analyst Laura Miti says voters will be watching how parties handle such disruptions.

“People want to know two things: can you handle pressure, and what is your plan,” she says. “Walking instead of driving sends a message of defiance, but the policy message will matter more on August 13.”

Mundubile is expected to address a rally in Lusaka this weekend where he will outline the Alliance’s manifesto commitments on cost of living, jobs, agriculture and governance.