UPND HAILS PARTY UNITY AND PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S ACHIEVEMENTS AS 2026 COUNTDOWN BEGINS
Here are the key takeaways from the UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda’s statement on 12 August 2025:
1. Unity and Support: UPND thanks members and supporters nationwide for remaining united and committed to President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership.
2. Historic Victory: Marks four years since Zambians voted on 12 August 2021 to end the Patriotic Front’s rule and bring in the UPND government.
3. One Year to Elections: The nation is now one year away from the 2026 general elections.
4. Acknowledgment of Challenges: Recognition of natural disasters like drought and temporary setbacks such as load shedding, with resilience from the government.
5. Tribute to Women: Special appreciation for women’s patience, encouragement, and faith in the President during difficult times.
6. Key Milestones Achieved:
• Introduction of free education for all school children.
• Significant increase in Constituency Development Fund (CDF), resulting in community infrastructure projects.
• Youth empowerment through grants, scholarships, and skills training in trades like carpentry, bricklaying, and tailoring.
• Revival and expansion of mining activities, including copper, gold, and manganese sectors.
• Improvements in health infrastructure, workforce, and maternal-child health programs.
• Agricultural reforms including timely input distribution, crop diversification, and irrigation projects.
• Energy investments focusing on renewable projects and hydro infrastructure rehabilitation.
• Restoration of law and order in markets and bus stations.
7. Call to Action: Urges all members and supporters to stay united and focused on protecting the gains made.
8. Confidence in 2026 Victory: Reaffirms belief that President Hichilema will secure a second term in the 2026 elections.
© UPND Media
UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (UPND)
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL
Press Statement For Immediate Release
12th August, 2025
UPND SECRETARY-GENERAL THANKS MEMBERS FOR STAYING UNITED AND REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA AS THE NATION COUNTS DOWN TO 2026
The United Party for National Development (UPND) extends heartfelt gratitude to all members and supporters across the country for remaining steadfast, united, and committed to President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership.
On 12th August 2021, Zambians rose in unity and voted to end years of mismanagement under the Patriotic Front regime, ushering in a new era of hope, stability, and development.
Today, as we stand just one year away from the 2026 general elections, we take pride in the progress we have made despite numerous challenges, including natural disasters such as the recent drought that contributed to temporary setbacks like load shedding.
We especially wish to thank the women of Zambia for their patience, encouragement, and faith in the President. Your moral support has been a vital pillar as Government works tirelessly to overcome difficulties and deliver on its promises.
Key milestones achieved under President Hichilema’s leadership include:
- Education: Introduction of Free Education for all, easing the burden on families and securing the future of our children.
- Local Development: Significant increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), resulting in the construction of classroom blocks, maternity wings, improved sanitation facilities, bridges, and other critical community infrastructure.
- Youth & Skills Development: Provision of grants, scholarships, and skills training programs in carpentry, bricklaying, tailoring, and other trades to promote job creation and entrepreneurship.
- Mining Sector: Increased investor confidence leading to the revival of operations in the Copperbelt, expansion in gold and manganese mining, and renewed focus on value addition to Zambia’s minerals.
- Health: Ongoing construction and upgrading of health facilities, recruitment of thousands of health workers, improved drug supply systems, and investments in maternal and child health.
- Agriculture: Timely input distribution under FISP reforms, diversification into high-value crops, and enhanced irrigation projects to reduce reliance on rain-fed farming.
- Energy: Investments in new generation capacity, renewable energy projects such as solar farms, and rehabilitation of existing hydro infrastructure to strengthen energy security.
- Governance: Restoration of law and order in markets and bus stations, ensuring safety, fairness, and dignity for all traders and commuters, despite a few isolated incidents that are being addressed.
As we count down to the 2026 elections, we reaffirm our full confidence in President Hichilema’s ability to deliver on his promises and steer Zambia toward greater prosperity.
We call upon every member and supporter to remain steadfast, united, and focused on safeguarding the gains we have made since August 2021.
Together, we will secure victory again in 2026.
Issued by:
Batuke Imenda
UPND Secretary-General