By Mubanga Mubanga
University of Zambia (UNZA) students yesterday marched to State House to meet and greet President Hakainde Hichilema, and through their union representatives offered solidarity and endorsed him in the upcoming 2026 elections.
And President Hichilema directed his political advisor Levy Ngoma to organise another meeting with students where they will have tea, coffee and Chibwantu on State House grounds.
The students from Great East Road and Ridgeway Campuses marched to State House under heavy presence of police.
During their interaction with the President, Ridgway Campus outgoing president Preston Mulala said President Hichilema would be re-contesting for another term and recommended his candidature.
“Very soon this President will be re-contesting in this country for Presidency in 2026. If what Zambia is looking for is a President, the. We recommend Ballyin 2026, we recommend Bally,” Mulala said while students jubilated.
Newly elected leader of Ridgway Campus Ephraim Chifunda said the President had scored too many ‘kwenyus’ through re-interoduction of meal allowances, peace in the country such that they could be escorted in peace by their ‘cousins’ in reference to the police, care for the students and was in the process of increasing their meal allowances.
Chifunda also said the President was about the complete the construction of hostels among other achievements.
He asked why the President should not be given a second chance.
“Why can’t we give this man a second chance? He asked. We said therefore, as long as we are working with him, we have seen his works. Therefore, with a few words, I want to say fyonse fikapita Bally umuyayaya (everything will pass Bally forever) Mr President we sure, sure next year,” Chifunda said.
Former University of Zambia president Dixon Mutambi who led the newly appointed executive to State House said President Hichilema will return power.
He said he his executive worked well with the President unlike in the past when students had been used as tools of political violence.
He said students voted for a man who gave them meal allowance.
“2026 Bally alebwelelapo!” he said.
The new executive from both Great Road and Ridgeway Campuses were introduced to President Hichilema and pledged to continue working with the government to improve the welfare of students.
Addressing students, President Hichilema said he knew that education was the best equaliser and investment.
“You my friends l want to remind you, l know you know already. That this fellow here, standing here is President. Only because he got education, from who? from the people of Zambia. From your mother’s and father’s,” said President Hichilema.
“That is why this government led by Bally as a servant leader values education. Education is the best investment, equaliser, inheritance. I was born in a village, and only came to Lusaka to go the University Zambia.”
President Hichilema said the UPND government had restored the students meal allowance just like they promised when they were in opposition.
“When meal allowance was taken away, we said when they elect us into office, will restore the meal allowances. We know that the students need accommodation we know that,” President Hichilema said.
“We are working very hard to complete the hostels very quickly. We found an empty treasury but, because education is a priority, we are working hard to complete the hostels.”
And President Hichilema directed his special assistant for politics Levy Ngoma to organize another meeting with the students on the lawn at State house.
