UPND SHOULD STOP PUBLICLY DISOWNING ITS OWN MEMBERS– Concerned Citizen

THE WEEKNESS OF UPND HAS BEEN EXPOSED,

UPND SHOULD STOP PUBLICLY DISOWNING ITS OWN MEMBERS– Concerned Citizen

The recent statement by the United Party for National Development (UPND) distancing itself from comments made by George Mutonga on the maize market has raised questions about the party’s approach to internal communication and the handling of its members.

Mtonga recently wrote on his Facebook page that FRA is not the only market available to farmers, arguing that farmers are free to sell their maize to anyone willing to buy.

However, the UPND media later issued a statement distancing the party from Mutonga’s comments, saying that his views do not represent the position of the party and that he is neither a UPND official nor an authorised party spokesperson.

While the party has the right to clarify its official position, this tendency of publicly disowning individuals is, in my view, becoming a weakness within the UPND.

If someone is supporting the party, defending its policies and promoting the agenda of President Hakainde Hichilema, the better approach would be to engage that person internally when there is a disagreement rather than immediately taking the matter to the media.

This is also how political parties lose foot soldiers. When ordinary members constantly fear that they will be publicly disowned by their leadership whenever they make a statement that attracts criticism, they eventually become afraid to speak or defend the party.

We have seen similar situations where people who appear to support the UPND are later publicly described as not being UPND members. Such actions can discourage genuine supporters who are willing to stand up and defend the party.

Regarding the maize issue itself, Mutonga’s argument about farmers looking for alternative markets cannot simply be dismissed without addressing the actual situation on the ground.

There are concerns about limited maize storage capacity, including in areas such as Chingola, where farmers may struggle to find adequate storage space. If the government has also provided avenues for maize to be exported to other countries, then the idea that farmers can explore alternative buyers is not necessarily contrary to the government’s agricultural agenda.

The issue therefore should have been handled through constructive engagement rather than public condemnation.

UPND leadership should consider changing its approach. Not every disagreement needs to become a media statement. If there is a problem with George Mutonga’s comments, leadership can sit down with him, explain the party’s position and resolve the matter internally.

A political party needs strong foot soldiers. If its own supporters are constantly afraid of being disowned, the party weakens itself from within.