MATAMBO SAYS MUNDUBILE CAMPAIGN IS BUILT ON ORGANIC SUPPORT, PRO-POOR POLICIES
Lusaka, 22 July, 2026
The Diamond TV Breakfast Show, hosted by Malama Mukonde and Vida Mwale on Wednesday morning, featured Tonse PF Pamodzi Alliance Media Director Brian Matambo, who said the NRPUP campaign was gaining momentum through organic public support and a message centred on issues affecting ordinary Zambians.
Responding to questions on the campaign trail, Matambo dismissed suggestions that large crowds at political rallies were merely to watch artists who were performing at the rallies, insisting that the alliance did not transport supporters to campaign events.
“We don’t ferry people to our rallies,” Matambo said. “Our crowds are very organic.”
He said he had travelled with the campaign through Eastern, Muchinga, Northern and Luapula provinces, where he witnessed people attending rallies even after venues had been changed and supporters gathering along roadsides simply to greet the campaign convoy.
In contrast, Matambo alleged that supporters attending some UPND rallies had been transported from other districts, arguing that the alliance’s crowds reflected genuine public support.
Turning to policy, Matambo said Brian Mundubile’s campaign was deliberately focusing on what he described as real issues affecting ordinary citizens rather than making unrealistic promises.
Among the priorities he highlighted were a proposed debt-swap policy to provide relief for indebted civil servants, improving the quality of free education by building more schools and employing more teachers, and maintaining Social Cash Transfer while ensuring deserving beneficiaries receive support.
“Free education with 120 children in a classroom is not free education. That is poor education,” Matambo said, arguing that the next government should move from free education to “quality education.”
He also said the campaign’s message was aimed at what he described as building “a society of truth” and “a pro-poor government” that prioritises the needs of ordinary Zambians.
On the proposed presidential debate, Matambo said NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile was ready to participate if invited.
“I’ve seen him in Parliament many, many times, and he’s going to annihilate Hakainde Hichilema in the debate, if that ever happened,” Matambo said.
He added that he believed the ruling party was underestimating Mundubile, saying the opposition leader would welcome the opportunity to debate the sitting President should the occasion arise.