By Isaac Zulu
Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba says the UPND government is a one term failed project that has messed up in all the sectors.
Addressing Citizens First party members during the unveiling of district and constituency executive committees a Kapiri Mposhi’s Peniel Lodge, Kalaba said that under the UPND administration mealie meal prices have continued skyrocketing, saying the failure by the current regime to honour its campaign promises; leading to the high cost of living has rendered the UPND administration a failed project.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister said that the UPND administration under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema will be a one term government owing to its failure to address the challenges facing the people of Zambia.
Kalaba said that the Patriot Front government left the price of mealie meal at K120 per 25 kilograms, but the price of the staple food is now fetching K300 per 25 kilograms under the UPND administration.
The Citizens First leader said the UPND pledged to to increase the number of bags of fertilizer under the Farmer Input Support Programme, but this has not been the case today.
He said that the Zambian people have come to realize that they were duped by the UPND when it was in opposition, saying “Zambians are now tired of hearing from the UPND lip services and promisory notices from the current government.”
“Whether they like it or not, ba UPND administration is going in 2026. They are a one term government. They have messed up in all sectors,” Kalaba said.
He said that the Citizens First leadership is determined to ensuring that agriculture sector is revived by reviving the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, increasing the number of fertilizer and seed under the Farmer Input Support Programme in Central Province.
Kalaba said that the Citizens First leadership vision is to have Kapiri Mposhi as a hub for oil refinery, just as is the case with Indeni Refinery in Ndola district.
“Kapiri Mposhi is strategically localed. And our wish as Citizens First, is that when we form government, we can have a fuel strategic reserve such as Indeni,” said Kalaba.
Kalaba bemoaned the delayed refurbishment of the Kapiri Glass Products, saying the now defunct factory would have continued to be a viable employment venture in the district.
The former Bahati member of parliament also said that he has the necessary political experience to run for the position of Republican President.
Kalaba explained that, under the Michael Sata led PF administration, he served as lands and natural resources minister, “I also worked as minister of in the Vice President’s Office under Guy Scott, and served as Foreign Affairs Minister before resigning. Bushe nshakwata political experience? So I have the necessary political experience for me to contest as Republican President.”
Before addressing the Citizens First leadership in Kapiri Mposhi district, Kalaba attended Church Service at Kapiri Mposhi’s United of Zambia main congregation; where he encouraged congregants to continue praying for political leaders.
Kalaba noted that “the Church plays a critical role in providing a moral campus to people in political leadership.”
Kalaba later attended mass at Kapiri Mposhi’s Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish l, where he only greeted parishioners, but enjoyed massive interactions without addressing parishioners.
