Concerns mount over alleged plans by aspiring candidates to dump UPND if they lose primaries

UPND’s Kenneth Ng’ona has issued a warning to party members planning to contest as independent Members of Parliament in the 2026 general elections, describing the move as “thievery of the highest order.” Ng’ona said the party had received reports of both aspiring candidates and sitting MPs allegedly telling constituents that if they were not adopted by the UPND, they would stand as independents or under other political parties. In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Ng’ona cautioned that individuals with such intentions must not campaign using the party’s name, structures, or the image of President Hakainde Hichilema, as doing so would be misleading. “We have many UPND aspiring candidates across the 116 districts.

This is because the UPND is currently the most attractive party of choice for those seeking election in the 13 August 2026 polls,” he said. Ng’ona said the party had noted increasingly bloated campaign teams, with some constituencies recording more than five aspiring candidates, reflecting the party’s rapid growth and national appeal. “This shows how big the party has become.

Even those who once looked down on it are now part of the mighty UPND led by President Hakainde Hichilema,” he added. He stressed the need for the party to harmonize the messaging of aspiring candidates, saying inconsistent campaign messages amounted to abuse of democracy. Ng’ona, who is also an aspiring candidate for Chipili Constituency, said this was the reason the party was calling on all aspiring candidates to make a formal vow of loyalty.

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“Let every aspiring candidate who is a genuine UPND member accept to vow that if they are not adopted, they will give 100 percent support to the adopted candidate, and 100 plus 1 percent support to President Hakainde Hichilema in the 2026 elections,” he said. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR .

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