LUBINDA, MBEBA CONFER
By Correspondent
Barely a days before the August 13th General Elections, Kabwata Constituency Independent Candidate Brian Mbeba says he is confident of scooping the seat.
Mbeba received a rare endorsement from former Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda during the funeral procession of Pilgrim Chief and Tonse Alliance Member of the Central Committee(MCC) Canisius Banda.
Mr. Lubinda, who was present at Dr. Banda’s requiem mass at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus, predicted that Mr. Mbeba will take Kabwata to greater heights.
“I am greeting a man who made Kabwata great,”_ said Mbeba as he extended his hand to the visibly sobbing Lubinda. In response, the former law-maker said, _”…And this is a man who will make Kabwata even greater.”_
The two gentlemen embraced and were seen exchanging notes.
“You are doing fine politically, young man. I am glad to see you here (at Dr. Banda’s funeral). Keep it up,” Mr. Lubinda, revered as one of the best parliamentarians to grace Parliament, told Mr. Mbeba.
Mr. Lubinda, who served Kabwata Constituency from 2001 to 2021, asked: _”How are campaigns going so far, young man?”_
In response, Mr. Mbeba said: “There is not much time left.”
However Mr. Lubinda was quick to advise the energetic emerging civic leader that :_”When it comes to election campaigns, there can never be enough time. So, all you need to do is to utilize the very little time you have and do whatever you can then leave everything to God.”
And speaking in an interview, Mr. Mbeba paid tribute to Dr. Banda, hailing him as a gallant leader who lived for the sake of serving others.
“We came to comfort the family of Dr. Banda. We appreciate Dr. Banda because he contributed to the medical fraternity and also to the political discourse of this great nation. He was very courageous. He shall be greatly missed.”
Dr Banda, a public health specialist, former Ministry of Health Spokesperson who died on 31st July 2026 at the University Teaching Hospital was put to rest on August 5th 2026 at the Memorial Park. Dr Banda, 55 is survived by two Children, a mother and five sublims.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mbeba expressed optimism about winning the polls.
He said he has done the groundwork, and come August 13th, he will emerge victorious.
According to the independent candidate, he has interacted with the people of Kabwata who have bought into his six pillars. These include economic empowerment and SMEs, professional CDF management and accountability, infrastructure and modern services, and youth and human development, including tackling substance abuse.
When asked why he decided to stand as an independent candidate, Mr. Mbeba stated that his decision arises from the fact that his allegiance is with the people he intends to serve, and not a political party.
Mr. Mbeba said he is not like other candidates who opt to stand as independents out of bitterness from rejection by political parties that they once served.
He added that it will not be difficult to serve the people as an independent candidate because he will not be bound by political party programmes.