HH pledges major infrastructure drive as Western Province rallies behind UPND

President Hakainde Hichilema has urged residents of Western Province to protect development gains achieved under his administration, warning that the August 13 election will determine whether free education, the Constituency Development Fund and other flagship programmes continue.

Addressing large crowds across Mulobezi, Mwandi, Sesheke and Sioma districts, the Head of State appealed to voters to renew the United Party for National Development’s mandate, arguing that key social investments were only possible because of the support Zambians gave his government in 2021.

“If you are happy that your children are going to school for free, vote for the UPND. If you want free education to continue, vote for the UPND because it is this Government that signed into law making education free,” he told supporters in Mulobezi.

The President said more than 2.5 million children have returned to school since the abolition of school fees, adding that government has also invested in classroom infrastructure, desks, bursaries and youth skills development programmes. He cautioned citizens against taking the election lightly, saying their votes would determine whether ongoing development programmes are sustained.

Mr Hichilema also criticised the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance, alleging that many of its leaders served under the former Patriotic Front administration, which he accused of failing the Zambian people.

“The people in the Tonse Alliance are the same people who brought anguish to the Zambian people when they were in the PF. If you want peace to continue, vote for the UPND. We have restored peace and stability, and we must protect it,” he said.

On economic development, the Head of State said his administration has created one million jobs in four years and 11 months, benefiting millions of Zambians through direct and indirect employment opportunities. He pledged that a second UPND term would expand the Farmer Input Support Programme, increase beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer and Cash for Work programmes, and continue recruiting teachers, nurses and other public service workers. Volunteer nurses will start being absorbed into the public service from next month, he announced.

On agriculture, the President said government has directed the Food Reserve Agency to establish more maize buying centres and ensure farmers are paid within two days through mobile money platforms. He pledged to construct dams, sink boreholes and intensify livestock vaccination programmes to improve agricultural productivity and protect cattle from disease.

During his engagement in Mwandi, Mr Hichilema urged voters to support UPND parliamentary candidate Sefulo Kakoma, questioning whether independent candidate Iris Kaingu could effectively represent the constituency after declining to back the ruling party’s candidate.

“You have just come, you want to be adopted by UPND and you don’t respect the people you have found, it means you are greedy,” the Head of State said, addressing Mwandi residents directly on the matter.

He noted that some aspiring candidates show greed by demanding adoption immediately after joining the party. “There must be order in the house, there must be order in the chiefdom, there must be order in the country and there must be order in the party. Only UPND candidates, we are not voting for opposition, we are not voting for independents, we’re only voting for the UPND,” he said.

In Sesheke, the President pledged to establish a fund to rebuild the market destroyed by fire, construct a secondary boarding school and improve healthcare through the construction of district hospitals. He said constitutional amendments have created greater opportunities for young people, women and persons with disabilities to participate in Parliament.

Mr Hichilema also reaffirmed government’s commitment to transforming Western Province into a regional economic hub through increased investment in transport infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and trade. Among the priority projects, he said, is the upgrading of the Katima Mulilo One-Stop Border Post to facilitate faster movement of goods and people, boosting cross-border trade and creating employment opportunities.

The President reaffirmed government’s commitment to rehabilitating major road networks, including the 212-kilometre Sesheke-Mwandi-Kazungula-Livingstone road, a K3.2 billion project being undertaken by Sino-Hydro Corporation Limited. He announced plans to construct the Simungoma-Sichili-Luampa and Sioma-Sinjembela roads, rehabilitate the long-delayed Imusho road and improve township roads in Mwandi to strengthen connectivity and stimulate economic activity.

In the education sector, the Head of State pledged to upgrade Sesheke Secondary Boarding School, build additional schools and complete Kaanja Veterinary College to strengthen livestock disease control and support the province’s livestock industry.

To unlock the tourism sector, Mr Hichilema said government will restore Sioma Ngwezi National Park and revive the Simalaha Conservancy to attract more local and international tourists while creating jobs for surrounding communities. He also reiterated plans to upgrade Mongu Airport into an international airport, saying the project will improve access to Western Province, promote tourism to Liuwa Plain National Park and facilitate trade with neighbouring Angola.

The President further pledged to strengthen the beef industry through expanded livestock vaccination programmes, construct dams and boreholes to support agriculture, address the challenge of saline underground water and expand mobile network coverage through additional telecommunications towers.

Western Province Permanent Secretary Simomo Akapelwa recently said the planned upgrade of Mongu Airport will improve connectivity, attract investment, boost tourism and accelerate socio-economic development in the province.

Mr Hichilema’s campaign tour of Western Province continues today with engagements in Shangombo, Senanga, Nalolo and Limulunga.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Hot this week

Vice President urges Mpulungu residents to participate in electoral process July 31, 2026 0 Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has called on Vyamba residents... General News

Ministries urged to strengthen communication for national development –Kawana July 31, 2026 0 Government has stressed that achieving national development requires effective... General News

UNICEF donates K2 Million for detection of viral haemorrhagic fevers July 31, 2026 0 UNICEF has donated Two Million Kwacha worth of infection prevention... General News

KGS supports over 257, 000 vulnerable girls July 31, 2026 0 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Permanent Secretary... Feature Politics

President Hichilema pledges improved road network in Mwandi July 31, 2026 1 President Hakainde Hichilema has promised the people of Mwandi...

Topics

Vice President urges Mpulungu residents to participate in electoral process 0 Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has called on Vyamba residents... General News

Ministries urged to strengthen communication for national development –Kawana 0 Government has stressed that achieving national development requires effective... General News

UNICEF donates K2 Million for detection of viral haemorrhagic fevers 0 UNICEF has donated Two Million Kwacha worth of infection prevention... General News

KGS supports over 257, 000 vulnerable girls 0 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Permanent Secretary... Feature Politics

President Hichilema pledges improved road network in Mwandi 1 President Hakainde Hichilema has promised the people of Mwandi... General News

Local Government showcases CDF Achievements 0 The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development says... Columns

The Merits of Free Eduction in Zambia. 0 THE MERITS OF FREE EDUCATION IN ZAMBIA By Dr O’Brien... Feature Politics

Sioma–Sinjembela–Shangombo road to receive facelift -President Hichilema 1 President Hakainde Hichilema has assured residents of Sioma District,...

Related Articles

Police confirm Yuyi Mwala’s arrest, charge former Copperbelt police boss in US$448,596 copper case

Kalaba asks ConCourt to dismiss petition seeking to bar him from presidential race Headlines July 30, 2026

YUYI’S SUDDEN EXIT: Transfer followed by unverified arrest claims

UPND’s grip on Western Province weakening, says Mbikusita-Lewanika

Zaloumis dismisses rigging claims as ballot papers touch down in Lusaka

Popular Categories