Hichilema mocks Mundubile’s campaign as opposition rejects defeat claims
President Hakainde Hichilema has ridiculed National Rally for Progress and Unity Party (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile’s campaign, claiming the opposition leader has “run out of paraffin” to power his party’s lamp symbol as the race towards the general election intensifies.
CHIPATA, 3 August – Addressing supporters during community engagements in Chipata on Sunday, President Hichilema said the opposition campaign had lost momentum and argued that Mr Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, appeared demoralised and had already accepted defeat.
Using the NRPUP’s lamp symbol to mock the campaign, the President said the party had exhausted both its energy and financial resources.
“The lamp has run out of paraffin. Those two boys are tired and are even failing to campaign. Just by looking at their faces and body language, you can tell they have already accepted defeat,” President Hichilema said.
The Head of State contrasted his own campaign schedule with that of the opposition, saying he had travelled extensively across the country and remained energetic despite weeks of campaigning.
He dismissed recent declarations by Mr Mundubile’s team that they were gaining momentum, insisting that nationwide campaigning required endurance, commitment and close engagement with citizens.
President Hichilema also urged farmers to ignore opposition promises regarding maize prices, arguing that his administration had introduced faster payment systems for maize deliveries through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
He said farmers delivering maize would now receive payment through mobile money within two days, describing the system as a first in Zambia’s history.
The President further questioned the opposition’s understanding of agriculture, saying he was better placed to address farmers’ concerns because of his own farming background.
During his tour of Eastern Province, President Hichilema held community meetings in Katete, Chadiza, Vubwi and Chipata as part of his election campaign.
Meanwhile, former Patriotic Front faction leader Miles Sampa called on voters in Eastern Province to reject both Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu at the polls.
Mr Sampa criticised the pair over the delayed burial of former President Edgar Lungu, accusing them of politicising the funeral.
He described remarks suggesting that Mr Lungu would only be buried after the election as unacceptable and urged voters to “teach them a lesson” by denying them support in the election.
His comments come after Mr Mundubile appealed to Zambians on Saturday to financially support his presidential campaign through voluntary public contributions, describing it as a people-driven initiative.
Neither Mr Mundubile nor Mr Zulu had publicly responded to President Hichilema’s latest remarks by the time of publication.
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