Zambia’s President, Hakainde Hichilema has been formally declared leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) at the party’s 2026 general assembly in Lusaka, confirming him as its presidential candidate for the 13 August general election.
The declaration, made at the Mulungushi Conference Centre on Wednesday, follows an uncontested nomination process that closed on 12 April.
Election returning officer Isaac Mwanza certified Hichilema’s election in line with party rules governing uncontested races.
The announcement dissolves the previous National Management Committee and clears the way for the UPND to enter the campaign season with its leadership slate confirmed.
In his acceptance remarks, Hichilema said he was humbled to be the sole nominee and described the mandate as a renewed call to improve the lives of Zambians.
“I accept this honour on behalf of the people of Zambia; every Zambian who believes in a better Zambia, this is for you,” he stated.
He framed the upcoming election as an opportunity to consolidate gains made during the UPND’s four and a half years in office, saying the administration had laid the foundation for development and now aimed to deepen service delivery and expand private‑sector job creation.
“We want to focus on creating jobs, particularly in the private sector,” he said, urging supporters to secure a decisive victory in August to protect what he described as progress achieved under the New Dawn government.
Zambia heads to the polls on 13 August in a contest expected to centre on economic performance, cost‑of‑living pressures and the government’s reform agenda.
The election will be the country’s eighth since the return to multi‑party democracy in 1991, with the Electoral Commission of Zambia already preparing for candidate nominations, voter roll updates and nationwide campaign monitoring.
With the UPND now formally united behind Hichilema, the ruling party becomes the first major political formation to confirm its presidential candidate ahead of the 2026 vote.
AP