UPND CHAIRMAN MOCKS OWN PARTY: ‘WE WARNED YOU, NOW YOU NEED POLICE TO SWITCH OFF THE LAMP! THE LAMP YOU LAUGHED AT NOW KEEPS YOU AWAKE
By Zambia Barotseland Border post
Reporter,
In what many may see as a stinging rebuke from within the ruling party’s own ranks, Mr. Briton Lukama, the UPND Branch Chairman for the Airport Area in Kanyonyo Ward of Mongu District, has publicly mocked fellow UPND members for what he described as their sudden panic over the growing political momentum of NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile.
According to Lukama, some party members had become too comfortable in government and ignored repeated calls from grassroots supporters to fulfil the promises they made to ordinary Zambians during the 2021 election campaign.
In his remarks, Lukama claimed that concerned UPND members had consistently urged the party to work harder and improve the lives of citizens instead of assuming its hold on power was guaranteed.
He alleged that party leaders dismissed those concerns, believing there was no opposition capable of threatening their position. However, he suggested that the emergence of Brian Mundubile’s campaign had changed the political atmosphere, leaving some within the party anxious and under pressure.
Lukama further alleged that instead of focusing on improving the welfare of ordinary Zambians, some officials became preoccupied with sharing Constituency Development Fund (CDF) grants and loans among themselves.
In a social media post, Lukama wrote:
“When we said let’s be serious people thought we’re joking, see now we need police to switch off the lampi sure. Ngana nelifela kwa ma loan ni grants.” He wrote.
His comments came a day after police dispersed Brian Mundubile’s campaign rally in Mongu using tear gas. Police intervention followed as large crowds gathered at the event.
As the August 13 General Election draws closer, internal criticism such as Lukama’s reflects the increasingly heated political debate, with supporters and critics alike trading sharp words over the performance of the ruling party and the growing confidence of opposition campaigns.
©️ Zambia Barotseland Border post/ 2026