MAKAI MAKAI DISOWNED: UPND Mongu Branch Chairman Turns Against Aspiring MP For Conduct Contemptuous Of Senior Barotse Leaders; He Must Apologize
By Zambia Barotseland Border post
Reporter,
Pressure continues to mount on UPND Mongu Central parliamentary candidate Makai Makai following controversial remarks he allegedly made during a recent campaign rally in Mongu, with a UPND branch chairman publicly condemning the statements and demanding an immediate public apology.
Mr. Briton Lukama, the UPND Branch Chairman for the Airport Area in Kanyonyo Ward of Mongu District, has distanced himself from Makai’s remarks, describing them as disrespectful to senior Barotse elders and inappropriate for a parliamentary aspirant.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Lukama expressed disappointment over comments directed at former Ngambela Hon. Clement Wainyae Sinyinda and Prince Akashambatwa, saying such utterances were unacceptable.
“Insulting former Ngambela and Aka is a grave mistake. Mr. Makai has no advisors… or is advising himself even when advisors are there. Grave mistake to say such words to our parents and I am so sad. Mr. Makai Makai should apologize to our parents, with immediate effect. What seed is he planting in the young ones? And he should stop using BRE in politics. Everyone has the right to join any political party in this country; it is not by force. Let him just tell people what he is going to do for us if he wins, simple,” Lukama wrote.
The condemnation follows remarks allegedly made by Makai Makai during a UPND campaign rally over the weekend in Mongu. According to accounts of the speech, Makai made demeaning remarks about former Ngambela Hon. Clement Wainyae Sinyinda and Prince Akashambatwa while claiming that the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) did not want supporters of Brian Mundubile to enter Western Province.
Makai also urged youths in Barotseland to remain alert and, whenever they heard that Brian Mundubile was in the province, to go and “teach him a lesson” and chase him away.
The remarks have since attracted widespread condemnation from various sections of the public, with many calling on political leaders to exercise restraint and avoid language that could incite hostility or disrespect traditional leaders. Others have urged politicians to refrain from dragging the Barotse Royal Establishment into partisan political contests and instead focus on presenting their development agenda to the electorate.
Calls are now growing for Makai Makai to publicly retract his remarks and apologize to the elders and the people he offended as the political campaign season intensifies.
©️ Zambia Barotseland Border post/ 2026