The Unwavering Commitment of President Hakainde Hichilema: A True Pioneer of the UPND

By Timmy

In the world of politics, it’s not uncommon for leaders to rise to power through various means. However, President Hakainde Hichilema’s journey to the presidency is an example of his unwavering commitment to his party, the United Party for National Development (UPND). As one of the pioneers of the UPND, Hichilema has demonstrated remarkable leadership and dedication to his country.

A Pioneer from the Beginning

Hichilema was among the pioneers of the UPND in 1998, long before he became the party’s president. He worked closely with the party’s founder, Anderson Mazoka, and played a crucial role in shaping the party’s vision and mission. Despite being in the background, Hichilema’s contributions to the party were significant, and his commitment to the UPND’s ideals was unwavering.

Leadership and Stamina

What sets Hichilema apart from other politicians is his leadership and stamina. He has led the UPND through thick and thin, and his dedication to the party’s principles has never wavered. As he himself said, “I am not an opportunist. I have been offered several jobs in different places… but I wanted to be home.” This commitment to his country and his party is a hallmark of his leadership.

A True Leader

Hichilema’s leadership style is characterized by his willingness to listen, observe, and help out without seeking credit. As he described himself, “I tend to look at what is going on, observe and help out without wanting to be given credit. That’s my nature.” This humility and willingness to serve have earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the people of Zambia.

A Proven Track Record

Under Hichilema’s leadership, the UPND has become a formidable force in Zambian politics. He has led the party to several elections, and his commitment to the party’s principles has never wavered. As President, he has continued to demonstrate his leadership skills, working tirelessly to promote economic development and good governance.

President Hakainde Hichilema is a true pioneer of the UPND, and his commitment to his party and country is unwavering. His leadership and stamina have earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the people of Zambia. As he continues to lead the country, we can expect great things from him.

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WAGON MEDIA

Zambia’s Solar Shift: Luapula 50MW Solar PV Plant on Course for December Target

Zambia’s ambitious agenda to reach 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar electricity by year-end is gaining momentum, aiming to reduce the energy gap hindering economic growth.

The Luapula Solar PV Power Plant, located in Mabumba Chiefdom, Mansa District, is a strategic project expected to inject 50MW of solar energy into the Zambian grid upon completion.

Wholly owned by ZESCO Limited, the national power utility, the plant will support the economic development of Mansa District and Luapula Province.

“This project brings an additional 50MW to the Zambian grid, addressing the energy deficit caused by last year’s drought,” says Eng. Brian Kanyanga, Head of Renewables at ZESCO.

The project is crucial for the region’s economic growth, particularly farming and mining. “Mansa and Luapula Province are growing rapidly, and we need energy to support these economic activities,” Eng. Kanyanga added.

The solar plant has achieved 30% of groundwork and is expected to be completed by December 2025.

“We’re responding to the Presidential call for a 1,000MW solar explosion, diversifying the energy mix, and driving economic growth,” Eng. Kanyanga said.

Supporting Musonda Falls Hydropower Station

The Musonda Falls hydropower station has historically done the heavy lifting of supporting the electricity needs of the province, releasing 10MW into the national grid and supporting the economic life of Luapula Province.

Local economic expansion and the risks posed by hydropower have necessitated the urgency for more reliable energy.

“Musonda Falls hydropower station is strategically placed mainly to support the agriculture activities in Mansa. We have Mansa Sugar, we also have mining activities,” says Eng. Peter Chamfya, Chief Operating Officer at ZESCO Limited.

The output is, however, insufficient, bemoans Eng. Chamfya:

“But the major challenge we have is that the power is still not enough. Much as we upgraded the power station, the power is still not enough. We are going to put a high voltage line which will come from Kasama to support the mining business in Luapula” he added.

That’s where 50MW solar energy comes in to complement the hydroelectricity, combining to energize and unlock Luapula’s manganese mining potential and ultimately boosting President Hakainde Hichilema’s energy diversification mix agenda, which assures resilience and energy security.

Former First Lady ESTHER LUNGU has told a South African court that two days before her husband’s death, he complained about the ill-treatment he was subjected to by the Government.

Ms Lungu said at the time, the sixth President, Edgar Lungu, was sedated by medical personnel so that they could insert a ventilator.

She said Mr Lungu repeated his wish that, in the event of his death, the people who made his life difficult,even preventing him from seeking medical care,should not be anywhere near his body.

Ms Lungu said it was her late 68-year-old spouse’s wish that President Hakainde Hichilema should not preside over his funeral.

“I personally spoke to the late President Lungu on 3 June 2025 for the last time, shortly before he was sedated in order to insert a ventilator.

“Among other things, he complained about the ill-treatment that the Applicant (the State) had subjected him to, repeated his wish that if he died, the Applicant should be nowhere near his body or funeral, and stated that he had also shared this wish with the Zambian researcher, Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa, when they met on 18 May 2025. This was a deeply traumatic experience culminating in a painful farewell.

“The late President Lungu did not awake again after that and passed away on 5 June 2025 in the hospital where he was being treated,” Ms Lungu submitted before the Pretoria High Court.

“I pause at this juncture to highlight that the late President Lungu was a deeply religious man, devoted to his faith, who regularly attended church and often sought counsel from bishops and spiritual leaders during times of personal and political hardship.”

She added that “in our private conversations, he confided in me on more than one occasion that he would not be afforded a dignified send-off in Zambia befitting his position as a former Head of State by the State or the President.

“His desire to be mourned and buried in the absence of the current President was therefore not only personal and spiritual but also grounded in his well-founded fear of continued disrespect and dishonour,” Ms Lungu submitted.

Mr Lungu died in South Africa on 5 June 2025 while seeking medical attention in the neighbouring country, where he is said to have “fled” to in January.

The widow added that shortly after her husband’s death, there were several discussions between her family and the Zambian Government to finalise the late President’s burial arrangements.

“The Applicant’s (Zambian Government’s) affidavits do not accurately reflect these discussions.

“It will be clear to the Honourable Court that no final agreement was reached with the family regarding the funeral proceedings or where the late President Lungu would be laid to rest, as the Applicant kept changing positions.”

Ms Lungu said her family accepted and respected Mr Lungu’s wishes and, upon his passing, began planning for a private burial.

But an impasse arose between the Lungu family and the Zambian Government regarding the burial of Mr Lungu.

The family accused the Government of not being sincere with the burial “agreement”, especially regarding the deceased’s wish that Mr Hichilema should not preside over the funeral.

“During the late former President Lungu’s time in South Africa, he was open and consistent in expressing his wish that, upon his death, the current President should be nowhere near his funeral or body.

“These intentions were communicated on numerous occasions to me and other family members. His reasons were rooted not only in his personal mistreatment, compromised safety, and medical care but also in the principled rejection of a ceremonial burial by a government that had, in his view, forsaken and persecuted him in life.”

Ms Lungu added that it was also specifically stated by Mr Lungu to his lawyer, Makeni Zulu, in April/May of 2025, when he was already severely ill, that he did not want the State or, alternatively, the current President to preside over his burial proceedings if he died.

“He stated that it was immoral and disrespectful to subject a person to rites they did not believe in during their lifetime, at their funeral, and worse still, to have a perceived enemy superintend over their funeral as if they were spoils of war,” she added.

The former First Lady said Mr Lungu went to South Africa to flee from being “persecuted” by the State.

Ms Lungu added that it is undesirable for herself and her children to continue residing in Zambia on a permanent basis.

“It is glaringly clear that the conduct of the Zambian Government has fallen far short of what could be described as honourable or lawful.”

Ms Lungu also criticised the Zambian Government’s decision to sue her grieving family and prevent it from burying Mr Lungu’s remains.

“Rather than treating the late President Lungu with the dignity befitting his status, or showing compassion to his family, the Government has, regretfully, acted with political vindictiveness and disregard for basic human rights,” she added.

The family insists that the Zambian Government has not stated where Mr Lungu should be buried, because the law in South Africa gives the next of kin the right to decide.

This is in a case where Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, has filed a lawsuit seeking to have Mr Lungu’s remains repatriated back to Zambia for a State funeral and burial.

by:
MWEBANTU
Central Zambia
July 12, 2025

The Benefits Were Revoked, Not Suspended! Here Is the Evidence

….evidence speaks louder than the denials. The benefits were not suspended. They were revoked and revoked immediately…..

PRETORIA, 11th July, 2025

New evidence has emerged directly contradicting the Zambian Government’s claims that late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s presidential benefits were merely “suspended.”

Mrs. Esther Lungu, widow of the late President, here being referred as respondent 1, has filed a powerful response in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, where the Zambian Government is seeking to block the burial of the former Head of State in South Africa.

Central to her argument is an official government letter dated 30 October 2023, which she has attached as Annexure EL10 and its contents are damning.

According to the letter, signed by a senior Government official Dr Oliver Mubita Kalabo, the revocation of benefits was “with immediate effect” and left no room for ambiguity. The letter states unequivocally:

“In addition, the Office of the Sixth President Is closed with Immedlate effect and all staff assigned to that Office will be redeployed. Further, take note that Government will no longer provide security, accommodation, transport and other requirements as the law provides, to a Former President..”

The language used “withdrawing all of the benefits” is far more definitive than a suspension and amounts to a full revocation under the provisions of the Benefits of Former Presidents Act.

Notably, the Act makes no provision for suspension of benefits; it either provides or does not, and it explicitly excludes the restoration of benefits once withdrawn under specified circumstances.

Mrs. Lungu’s court filing further asserts that this act of revocation had real consequences for her husband. Paragraph 3.21 of the affidavit states:

“As a result of the complete and final revocation, the late former President Lungu lost all state-provided benefits and was reduced to the status of an ordinary private citizen… he was further subjected to gross abuse of human rights including public vilification, significant and unlawful restrictions on his freedom of movement, infringement of his right to assembly and deprivation of his right to life by prohibition of access to medical care.”

The government’s claim that the benefits were “only suspended” appears increasingly untenable in light of the documentary evidence now before the South African court.

One thing is clear: The evidence speaks louder than the denials. The benefits were not suspended. They were revoked. And now, the world is watching.

This affidavit was filed in response to the Zambian Government’s application seeking the following relief:

2.1.1 That the Applicant is entitled to repatriate the body of the late President Edgar Lungu for purposes of a state funeral and burial at Embassy Park in Lusaka, Zambia.

PLEASE SIT DOWN, Dr Sishuwa tells Mwiya Musokotwane, the Minister of Finance’s Son

Sishuwa Sishuwa tweets…

Mwiya Musokotwane, I seek your indulgence to write a few paragraphs so that we can put context to how we got here for the benefit of informed public debate and interested readers. As you know, the public issues I comment on do not benefit me personally in any way.  If anything they bring huge risks but I do what I do for reasons that I have previously stated here: https://diggers.news/guest-diggers/2023/06/14/why-i-do-what-i-do/

Now let us start.  

On 8 July, I wrote and posted a letter to Hichilema in which I discussed real threats to my life and expressed my disappointment with Hichilema’s presidency on several public issues.  Here is the link to the post. https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1942584154584916146

The following day, 9 July, one of Hichilema’s self-confessed and most vociferous supporters, Laura Miti, dismissed the threats on my life as unfounded and falsely claimed, without offering any supporting evidence, that I have previously published similar claims against other Zambian presidents, so she was tired of me singing the same song. Here is the link to Laura’s post – though she reportedly posted a longer version on Facebook where I do not have any account. https://x.com/LauraMiti/status/1942860504042528975

Here, I should briefly pause to explain why I use the word ‘falsely’. As you may know, I have been a regular commentator on Zambian politics since 2009, and my commentaries are in the public domain. Not once since then have I published anything stating that Rupiah Banda, Michael Sata or Edgar Lungu was after my life. Anyone making a claim to the contrary should provide evidence in form of my published statements that Banda, Sata or Lungu were after my life. So, in addition to dismissing my concerns without talking to me, Laura falsely attributed a position to me and proceeded to characterise what I had said as delusional using that misrepresentation of historical record. 

For reasons that I have stated previously (see here: https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1778471670979707050), I chose not to engage Laura because I saw her effort as a deliberate attempt to distract attention from the issues I had raised in the letter by turning me into the subject. In recognition of her right to free speech, which includes understanding and tolerating those who speak confidently even on matters they least understand, I only said the following in response to her post:  

“Like any other person, you have the right to express yourself in any way, and I fully support this right.”   Here is the link to the post. https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1942869111190745513

Enter Distant Relative.

On 9 June,@LankyObserver, who is a good friend, communicated with me to establish the facts around the very recent attempt on my life. After telling him that I had noted a few cars trailing me a few times beforehand, I explained to him that a trusted friend of mine recently asked me to pick them up from their airport. I normally avoid moving at night but made an exception on condition that he would drive on our way back home. Once on the highway, we experienced a scary incident around 8pm when two cars, both without number plates, sandwiched mine between them and almost crushed it. The one in front abruptly stopped and the one behind us came speeding at us. Fortunately, I was not driving. My friend who was driving managed to avoid hitting the one in front and escape though the one behind hit our car, causing a dent.  We reported the incident to the nearest police station after which we went to the hospital.

A police officer told us the event was not a typical car hijacking incident as we had thought. They said car hijackers usually want the car and would not do anything that would destroy it. They suggested the idea was probably to induce an accident and then if we survived, set the car and the occupants in it ablaze. It was a terrifying moment, and police are still investigating the matter to try and see if they can use road cameras to identify the faces of the culprits. This explains why I did not go into much detail in the letter, but since Distant Relative made an effort to communicate with me, I shared with him further details.  Although my main concern was the life of my rather innocent friend, I expressed my concern that had I died, no one would have known that it was me in the car or that it was my car, especially if it was burnt to ashes! I probably would have simply been another crime statistic, and UPND supporters may have been quick to point to high crime in South Africa! 

I later learnt that following our conversation, Distant Relative, without my knowledge, went to X where he posted the following: 

“If a person tells you their life is in danger and your response is to call them delusional, it signals a lack of empathy. Don’t wait until the worst happens to them. It’s how families lose people & wonder what they missed.” Here is the link to the post. https://x.com/LankyObserver/status/1942927427325542516

Based on the above abbreviated context, you will notice that Distant made the post above after he had the benefit of additional insight and was indirectly responding to Laura’s earlier dismissal of my fears.  In response to the same post, you, Mwiya Musokotwane, posted the following, without any communication with me: 

“Normal people lodge these very serious allegations with the police and provide evidence and witnesses to demonstrate said seriousness. In the absence of that;(sic) the direction of these increasingly serious allegations appears to be libelous.” Here is the link to your post. https://x.com/mwiyas/status/1942930467826577632

Your post is problematic for several reasons.

First, you jumped into something that was not directed at you. Why? I made it very clear in my letter that I do not want third parties to respond to the contents of my letter. If you read my letter, you would have noted this point and respected my desire to engage with the person I had addressed it to. Again, I ask: why did you feel the need to respond to a matter that was addressed to a very specific recipient?  If you did not read my letter, then you should have stayed away from the discussion since it would mean that you lack the required knowledge and understanding that should inform your opinion on the subject. 

Second, you implied that I am not part of what you consider to be “normal people” since I have not reported anything to the police nor presented evidence or witness testimony in support of what I stated in the letter. You never bothered to ask if I had reported anything I had said to the police. You simply assumed and concluded that I had not done so before writing my letter and therefore went against what “normal people” do. I do not know when you, Mwiya Musokotwane, obtained the medical qualifications devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of deleterious mental conditions to pronounce yourself authoritatively on my mental state – even in the absence of a physical examination. The last time I checked, you were an economist! However, if you are now a qualified psychiatrist, then please accept my congratulations for your additional achievement as well as your remarkable capacity to diagnose someone’s condition remotely. 

Thirdly, like Laura and other supporters of the establishment, you never bothered to establish if I am okay before you resorted to trafficking in assumptions. Your primary interest was not my welfare but the possible harm to the reputation of Hichilema or those whom you felt I may have defamed in my letter. In exhibiting this conduct, you ironically demonstrated the importance of the very point that Distant Relative was making. You could not even pretend that you care for the life of another person, a fellow citizen. Your immediate and overriding concern was the false assumption that I was making potentially libelous allegations, which you did not even disclose, against those for whom you care. 

After all this, you turn around and say, “Dr Sishuwa, let us have respectful, constructive and objective dialogue”. You even have the audacity to claim that you care for Zambia! Where is your expressed outrage against the corruption, tribalism, authoritarian tendencies, the constant lies, and careless debt contraction of Hichilema’s regime? Where is your stated outrage against those in power today who are condemning Zambians to 17 consecutive hours of darkness through load shedding, who are robbing the poor of their dignity through policies that favour foreign commercial interests, who are making a kill through stinky oil deals (brokered in UAE soon after the election in 2021) with their local business associates even when they order the petroleum products at prices that are way cheaper than that what they sell, at inflated rate, to the poor consumer in Zambia, and who are violating the Constitution and have no respect for court rulings? 

Argh, Mwiya Musokotwane! There is a lot of rot in this regime, like the one before it, and people like you who pretend that you care for Zambia make my blood boil! Please pause for a moment and seek to understand the gravity of the issues you are commenting on before you do.

I repeat, please sit down!

Source: https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1943329489502499189

Zambian based in South Africa joins ECL case, demands that remains be repatriated.

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA RESPONDS TO PUBLIC OUTCRY ON DRUG SHORTAGES AND HIGH PRICES

July 11, 2025

LUSAKA – President Hakainde Hichilema has acknowledged the cries of Zambians over drug shortages and high medicine costs, assuring the nation that his government has taken major strides to improve access to essential medicines across the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka. The President said drug availability in public health facilities has improved significantly, rising from 46% in 2021 to 80.5% in 2024. “We are committed to delivering quality healthcare to every Zambian,” he stated.

The President’s remarks come at a time when many citizens have been voicing frustrations over the unavailability of medicines in hospitals and the unaffordable prices in pharmacies..

This statement offers hope that those concerns are being addressed. “Stealing drugs undermines the health of our people,” President Hichilema warned, classifying drug theft as an economic crime that will face strict punishment.

The Head of State directed the Ministry of Health to maintain momentum in drug procurement and to equip rural health centers with diagnostic tools. He added, “We are here to serve 20 million Zambians who pay our salaries.”

President Hichilema also highlighted his continued concern for maternal and child health, recalling a tragic 2018 incident when a newborn died due to a lack of an incubator.

This announcement, coupled with increased pharmaceutical funding from K1.4 billion in 2021 to K4.9 billion in 2025, marks a renewed push to make medicines available and affordable for all Zambians.

Earlier this morning, the President held a Presidential stocktake meeting on drug availability in the country at State House.

(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM

ZAMTEL RECORDS FIRST PROFIT SINCE 2006, POSTS K2.3 BILLION IN 2024

By Jack Makayi.

Lusaka – 10th July, 2025.

Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel) has achieved a significant milestone by recording a profit of K2.3 billion for the 2024 financial year, its first since 2006, according to Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Jeson Mwanza. The company further reported a profit of K354 million for the first half of 2025.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement session with the Parliamentary Committee on Parastatals at Zamtel’s headquarters, Mwanza attributed the financial turnaround to disciplined fiscal management, expanded service coverage, and continued investment in network infrastructure. He emphasized the company’s commitment to sustaining this growth trajectory.

Mwanza expressed gratitude for the support from Members of Parliament, noting their engagement had been instrumental in addressing Zamtel’s challenges and opportunities. He urged MPs to prioritize Zamtel services in their constituencies and called on the government to adopt Zamtel lines as the primary communication channel for ministries and departments, a move he said would bolster the company’s sustainability.

To enhance connectivity and customer experience, Zamtel is accelerating its nationwide rollout of 4G network infrastructure as part of its strategic growth plan..

Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Parastatals, praised Zamtel’s board and management for their effective leadership and clear strategic focus, which he said had steered the company back to profitability after years of financial difficulties. He expressed satisfaction with Zamtel’s audited financial performance and its progress in implementing growth initiatives.

The committee reaffirmed its commitment to providing oversight and support to state-owned enterprises like Zamtel, emphasizing their potential to deliver value and contribute to Zambia’s economy.

Zamtel’s return to profitability marks a pivotal moment for Zambia’s parastatal sector, highlighting the impact of sound governance and strategic management in driving economic contributions.

CIC PRESS TEAM