FORMER UPND PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES DEFECT TO TONSE ALLIANCE, CITE MARGINALIZATION
A group of former United Party for National Development (UPND) parliamentary candidates who lost in the 2021 general elections have announced their resignation from the ruling party, citing alleged marginalisation, unfulfilled promises, and economic hardships.
Speaking in a joint press statement issued on March 14, 2026, the former candidates said they had taken a “painful but necessary decision” to sever ties with the UPND after what they described as years of neglect following the party’s rise to power.
The group accused the UPND leadership, under President Hakainde Hichilema, of abandoning loyal members who sacrificed resources and time to campaign for the party in difficult regions, particularly in former Patriotic Front (PF) strongholds such as Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, Copperbelt, Central, and Eastern provinces.
They recalled that during the 2021 campaigns, then Secretary General Stephen Katuka assured candidates that no one would be left behind and encouraged them to focus on securing victory for the presidential candidate.
However, the former candidates claim that since the UPND formed government, many of them have been excluded from appointments in the diplomatic service, public institutions, and parastatals.
The group further alleged that government appointments have been skewed along regional lines, leaving some provinces underrepresented. They expressed concern that despite their contributions, they have not benefited from opportunities within government structures.
According to the statement, the situation has led to serious personal and economic challenges among members, including financial struggles, loss of assets, and strained family relationships. They also claimed that some members have faced public criticism from constituents due to unmet campaign promises.
Beyond internal party grievances, the defectors also raised concerns about broader governance issues, including rising cost of living, unemployment, and what they described as the ineffective implementation of initiatives such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
They further accused the government of failing to deliver meaningful economic relief to ordinary citizens, alleging that many Zambians continue to face hardships despite expectations of improved living standards following the 2021 elections.
As a result, the group announced that they have joined the Tonse Alliance, a political alliance they say is better positioned to address the country’s socio-economic challenges.
They pledged to mobilize their supporters to rally behind the alliance ahead of the August 13 elections, expressing confidence in its leadership under Brian Mundubile.
The statement was signed by Charles Mulenga Musanya, Justin Pembela Mumba, and MacDonald Phiri on behalf of the affected candidates.
The UPND has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
Adios, hope it goes well for you guys out there in the political den. You’re losers
Anyways, upnd are know for marginalization.
Beans
People voted in numbers, 2.8 million but do not expect personal reward of appointment. And there can only be a certain number in any establishment for job appointment. We are happy to enjoy peace, no wish nor even need for appointment.
This is very shameful, These lazy bums are even confessing publicly kuti njala yatunyokola, so we want appointments to start chewing public funds.
So you are defecting to be nomimated aspiring MPs. What about the people you will find in your newly found home. Do you think they will allow you to just jump over them. Find other prodictive activities… shaa!
Job well done though mundubile needs to clear 1.5 billion.
Ati marginalisation and neglect. In simple language, they were expecting to benefit like PF cadres and officials were benefiting, the “uubomba mwibala alya mwibala” syndrome. I say good riddance. They have joined the looters club, they are in the right place. Birds of a feather flock together.
Such people should be nowhere near the corridors of power and I am glad they were “neglected” and now we see them for what they are – opportunists and gold diggers. It would be foolish to vote for such.
These guys are just losers, there is no government or party anywhere in this world which can appoint or give jobs to each one of its members as a reward for supporting and campaigning for the party. Not even Mundubile where they have defected to, he won’t appoint them and they will even be more disappointed. They will even start blaming him also. Some people are just naturally lazy and idle but very quick and good at blaming others. You can’t even apply for CDF or ka contract for desks sure, not even ka loan ka Agriculture, five years yonse yapita uli ndwii, ufuna bakuletele pa nyumba, aikona mani. Sorry, time for manna is long gone, just find something to do.
People who enter politics for self-enrichment always reveal themselves eventually.
If your goal is simply to make money, then politics is the wrong space, go get a job. In the corporate world, you’re free to move wherever the pay is better. There’s no expectation of ideological loyalty.
But politics is different. It requires conviction, consistency, and commitment to a cause greater than yourself. You’re meant to stand for something an ideology, a vision, and most importantly, the improvement of people’s lives in your community.
When you treat politics like a cash cow, you expose your true intentions. And when that “easy money” disappears, so does your loyalty.
The reality is this: not every political environment offers handouts. Some demand real work, accountability, and service day in and day out. Days of handouts are gone with PF.
Leadership is not about what you can take.
It’s about what you are willing to give.
These guys are not leaders, they are job seekers. UPND is losing nothing. Bon voyage!
Hmmmm BUT the names of THOSE and FROM WHICH PROVINCES THEY ARE ARE NOT ISSUED.
PROPAGANDA by OPPOSITION thinking that HH may loose popularity!!
Fake news indeed.
These dunderheads, they could not even imagine that because of the increase in constituencies they stand a chance of being adopted. You have exposed yourselves and the intentions you have. Good luck. Game on.