2026 ELECTIONS, ABOUT FREEDOM – NKOMBO
By Elias Kamanga
Former Local Government Minister Gary Nkombo has likened the 2026 general elections to Zambia’s historic turning points of 1964, 1991, 2011 and 2021, describing the upcoming polls as another national struggle for freedom.
Nkombo said the 2026 elections will be about reclaiming true freedom and rejecting what he termed systematic attacks on citizens’ rights and democratic participation.
Speaking in his Africa Freedom Day message, Nkombo said Zambia’s freedom was never handed to its people on a silver platter, but was won through sacrifice and courage at defining moments in the country’s history.
He said in 1964, Zambians fought colonial oppression; in 1991, they rejected one-party rule; while in 2011 and 2021, citizens once again voted for change and defended democratic ideals.
“At each of these moments, Zambians bravely chose freedom over deception,” Nkombo said.
He warned that the country now stands at yet another crossroads ahead of the 2026 elections.
“In 2026, the moment is here and it is for this generation to choose to protect their freedoms by fighting injustice by the powerful,” he said.
Nkombo further stated that recent acts of political violence and intimidation against citizens seeking to participate in governance should alarm every Zambian regardless of political affiliation.
He maintained that Africa Freedom Day should not merely be treated as a symbolic celebration, but as a reminder that freedom must constantly be defended from abuse, intimidation and injustice.
The Mazabuka Central independent candidate recently came under attack during nomination activities, an incident he says reflects the growing intolerance and shrinking democratic space in the country ahead of next year’s elections.
Garry torn down you have missed an opportunity and decided to misleading yourself.
Maturity is seen when one is disappointed and still remain loyal. Others would have sympathized with you and fight your cause.
I was going to be one but now disappointed in you!
Now you are manifesting what others were just suspicious of “Presidential Ambitions.” Too early bro and not as an independent fimo fimo!
Please reflect on one simple truth. No one succeed in fighting the Government system, never! Please reflect, reflect, reflect and come to terms with reliability.
You could have come back strong but now you have finished your political journey.
Hope your business dealings are clean.
You will see after the election August 13th, 2026.
Garry relax. That you are a candidate now let the people see something in you. You are too loud at a wrong time. You risk losing sympathisers with you utterances. UPND is still a party of your choice if I am not mistaken. Which turning point are you talking about? You were given enough time to reconcile with your elder brother HH and you chose not to because of your arrogance. We still have hope in you.
Initially I thought HH was being too hush with Gary….but I realised HH is too wise. Rumours of Gary working with the opposition started a long time ago, but he was given a chance to change but unfortunately greed got the best of him. A serious political miscalculation and deep down Gary knows this. He is now a desperate man because he knows what’s coming after August. Gary’s serious miscalculation is sad to watch, he lost mazabuka under MMD, lost under FDD….UPND embraced him and he finally won, now he feels he is bigger than UPND and yapping about freedom. Just as well you showed your true colours when you stopped answering calls after becoming a minister. Start hiding your assets because you will be the biggest example on betrayal come August
Gary Nkombo is a hypocrite and pretender who is spreading falsehoods to attract sympathy from the people. When you see a person who once dined with a political party and benefited greatly from it, but later begins condemning the same place he came from simply because things have turned against him, such people should not be trusted.
Which freedom is Gary Nkombo talking about? If he was truly courageous and brave, why didn’t he resign and amicably contest as an Independent Candidate? Gary Nkombo thinks he is a political heavyweight, yet his loyalty to the UPND government and political party was fake and pretentious. The challenge we have in Zambia is that many people think anyone can aspire for the presidency, which is not true. No wonder we end up having about 13 people contesting as presidential candidates.
In life, real friendships and relationships are easily tested and evaluated during disappointments. For instance, many politicians who were elevated or promoted later abandoned their political parties and friendships because they lacked vision and a bigger picture of the direction they were supposed to take. Chishimba Kambwili, Godfrey Mwamba (GBM), Henry Kalaba, Charles Kakoma, Saviour Chishimba, Gary Nkombo, late Christon Tembo, and late Edith Nawakwi, among others, missed opportunities by denouncing the throne that could have positioned them for greater elevation.
Those who wish to remain relevant in politics should take a leaf and learn from Vernon Mwaanga, former Vice President Enock Kavindele, and former Vice President Inonge Mutukwa Wina, among a few distinguished political veterans who remain relevant to this day.
In the Bible, we have the true story of Joseph, who went through suffering and betrayal, yet remained steady and focused. Our own President Hakainde Hichilema’s journey to the throne was not easy. He was insulted, humiliated, betrayed, disappointed, lost elections, jailed, and isolated, but he held on to his dream, and God Almighty fulfilled it.
True leadership is not for small boys and girls making noise and hallucinating, because those who aspire to positions of leadership must go through a furnace of fire so that impurities can be removed.