President Hakainde Hichilema has warned that Zambia must never return to an era defined by political violence, lawlessness, self-enrichment and the looting of public resources, telling thousands of supporters across Southern Province that the 13 August election represents a decisive choice between continued development and a return to the past.

The Head of State made the remarks while addressing community engagements in Pemba, Gwembe, Zimba and Sinazongwe districts, where cheering crowds of traditional leaders, youths, farmers and traders turned out in large numbers. He urged residents not to relent in supporting the United Party for National Development, describing the party’s continued leadership as the correct path for the country.

President Hichilema said the election on 13 August presents Zambians with a stark choice between sustained national development and a descent back into what he called the dark days of thuggery, cadreism, corruption and the plundering of national resources. He said his New Dawn Government had restored peace, economic stability and public confidence, achievements he argued must be safeguarded through a decisive UPND victory.

“We must never go back to the days of thuggery, cadreism, corruption, plundering of national resources and lawlessness,” the President told the crowd in Zimba. “On August 13, Zambians will choose peace, unity, development and economic prosperity by voting for the UPND.”

He called on citizens across the country to remain united behind the ruling party, arguing that every vote cast for the UPND would help strengthen ongoing investment in roads, schools, hospitals, water supply, electricity, agriculture and youth empowerment.

The President’s tour of Southern Province formed part of a broader nationwide campaign that has already taken him through nine of the country’s ten provinces. In each location, he has combined direct engagement with residents with fresh development commitments, moving away from lengthy set-piece speeches in favour of conversational exchanges conducted without an interpreter.

In Munyumbwe, Gwembe District, the President announced that volunteer nurses, teachers and veterinary officers would begin joining the public service next month, a pledge that drew loud applause from the gathering. He directed officials to compile a list of volunteer nurses currently serving so that they could be enrolled without delay. The announcement builds on the recruitment of more than 45,000 civil servants since the UPND assumed office in 2021.

The President also announced plans to construct a level-one hospital in Gwembe, upgrade the district’s skills training centre and build dams to support irrigation farming and livestock production. He assured residents that the Chisekesi-Gwembe, Gwembe-Sinazongwe and Bottom roads remained government priorities.

In Pemba, President Hichilema received one of the biggest receptions of the tour as thousands packed the campaign venue. He was visibly moved by the reception and repeatedly thanked the crowd, pledging to construct a district hospital, tar the Pemba-Mapanza and Pemba-Moyo roads, extend electricity to more schools and establish a skills training centre.

Later in Sinazongwe, the President pledged that government would construct additional Food Reserve Agency grain storage sheds to protect farmers’ harvests from post-harvest losses. He also announced the creation of a new Kariba Constituency alongside Sinazongwe Constituency, a move he said would effectively double the district’s allocation under the Constituency Development Fund.

The President used the Southern Province leg of his tour to directly address the growing number of independent parliamentary candidates who have broken away from UPND structures. He urged voters to reject such candidates, dismissing claims by some that they retained his endorsement.

“Independent candidates are lying that I have sent them,” he said. “The UPND has its structures and they are the ones you should vote for.”

He also assured farmers that payments for maize supplied to the Food Reserve Agency would be processed within two days through mobile money, a measure intended to eliminate queues at banks and speed up transactions for rural households.

The President further directed mining companies operating in Zimba to prioritise employing local people so that surrounding communities directly benefit from the district’s mineral resources. He assured residents that Zambia Army personnel deployed in the area were there solely to safeguard peace and security during the election period.

President Hichilema urged the electorate to turn out in large numbers on 13 August, arguing that the UPND’s development agenda requires a fresh mandate to deliver further hospitals, roads, schools, jobs and economic opportunities across the province.

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