AN AUDIT OF THE 2021 PROMISES
In 2021, President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND Alliance made promises to the people of Zambia. It’s fair for Zambians to ask, “Have all the promises been fulfilled?”
An honest answer is that some promises were fulfilled immediately. Others needed the country to be rescued first, especially after inheriting the country which was a basket case.
Free education was delivered. Teachers were recruited. Health workers were recruited. CDF was taken from small change to real constituency development money. Debt restructuring was pursued with discipline. Inflation (price stability) has been brought back under control. Foreign reserves have been rebuilt. The economy, which was found on its knees, has been lifted from the emergency ward.
Yes, some promises are still unfinished. Food prices must still come down further. Fuel must still become more affordable. Jobs must still reach more young people. Electricity must become more reliable. The fight against corruption must become sharper, faster and more fearless.
The future of our country is certainly brighter. The foundation which has been established is solid and all well meaning patriots must acknowledge and appreciate this. You cannot harvest before you restore the field. You cannot build a house while the foundation is sinking. You cannot repair household suffering without first repairing the national economy that feeds the household.
The first term has been a clear rescue mission. The second term must be the full delivery term. This is why 2026 is not a time to gamble with anger. It is not a time to return the country to those who burnt the kitchen and now complain that supper is late.
Zambia has already paid the painful price of national repair. Now we must not abandon the road when the destination is finally coming into view
The moral question before us is, “Do we return to those who collapsed the economy?” Or “Do we give more time to the leadership that has rebuilt the foundation?”
For me, the answer is clear. Let us move from recovery to prosperity. Let us move from foundation to completion. Let us move from national repair to household relief.
In August 2026, let us vote for continuity, stability and delivery.
Zambia Forward, Together.
T. Saviour Chishimba
President
United Progressive People (UPP)
UPND Alliance Partners
Mr Chishimba, you are very correct.Those promises not yet achieved shall be, in the next term.In the first place it is better to promise than not.And it is good for the people to see efforts being made and good results coming along the way.The people of the country must also play a role by working hard, be able to use the well levelled ground for economic development.We have peace now freedoms so the environment is very much enabling .But one thing I ask every time is the payment for pension difference for retirees on National interest who got retired on restructuring of government Ministries and departments in 1998 to 2000.It is now 26 years the issue of pension is not concluded.Some were paid while a lot more are not yet paid.A good number of these retirees have since died but the beneficiaries are available.The UPND must however be praised for the promises that have been achieved under difficult economic challenges the country has first.