Hichilema urges voters to choose progress over ‘dununa reverse’ ahead of August 13 poll
President Hakainde Hichilema has urged Zambians to vote for the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) in the August 13 elections, saying the choice before voters is whether to continue with the development achieved over the past five years or return to what he described as “dununa reverse.
MAMBWE, Eastern Province, 4 August — Addressing a campaign rally in Mambwe District on Monday, President Hichilema said the election would determine the country’s future and claimed that nine of Zambia’s 10 provinces had already resolved to support the UPND.
Speaking in Nyanja, the Head of State said citizens should weigh the progress made under his administration against the previous government’s record before casting their ballots.
“The decision on August 13 is whether we continue with the progress you have experienced over the last four years and 11 months, or whether we go backwards and begin ‘dununa reverse’,” President Hichilema said.
He said his campaign had received overwhelming support across Eastern Province, citing visits to Katete, Chadiza, Vubwi and Chipata, where he claimed residents had pledged to vote for the UPND.
The President also renewed his pledge to employ more volunteer teachers and nurses, saying his government had already recruited thousands of volunteers and would continue creating opportunities for those still waiting for employment.
“If you have not yet been employed, do not lose hope. Your opportunity will come. That is why we must vote for the UPND on August 13,” he told supporters.
Turning to agriculture, President Hichilema said farmers delivering maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) would receive payment within two days through mobile money, following instructions he had issued to speed up the payment process.
He also criticised opposition figures whom he accused of speaking about farming despite having little practical knowledge of the sector.
“I am a farmer like you. I understand farming and how prices should work so that farmers can make money,” he said, urging citizens not to be misled by political opponents.
The President further highlighted free education, peace and stability as some of the achievements of his administration, contrasting them with what he described as violence experienced under the Patriotic Front (PF) government.
He said markets and bus stations that were once characterised by violence had become peaceful under the UPND, and urged voters to support the ruling party if they wished to preserve those gains.
Among the development projects he outlined for Eastern Province, President Hichilema pledged to establish a full-time skills training college in Mambwe and bring a university closer to residents to reduce the need for students to relocate to Lusaka or the Copperbelt.
He also promised to rehabilitate the Chipata-Mfuwe Road, describing its current condition as unsatisfactory.
On wildlife conservation, President Hichilema acknowledged growing concerns over human-animal conflict, particularly elephants destroying crops and attacking residents, and said his government was working on measures that would protect communities while safeguarding tourism.
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