By Isaac Zulu
Central Province UPND information and publicity secretary for mobilisation Fred Kunga has challenged the party’s rank and file to understand the UPND manifesto and political ideology for them to be able to explain achievements and defend the party from opposition bent at de-campaigning the rulling party ahead of the 2026 polls.
And Khunga has urged UPND members not to directly interfere in the implementation of CDF projects, saying they should, instead “raise concerns with relevant government ministries.”
Khunga observed that the 2021-2026 UPND manifesto still remains attractive and sufficient to maintain and garner more support for the party to retain power in 2026 and to be used to defend the party as most of the promises made in the manifesto have been and are being fulfilled.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UPND Kapiri Mposhi Constituency party mobilisation conference, Khunga observed that President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling party are scoring on various promises such as introduction of free education and increasing the value of farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) among many other achievements.
“We have to know that the party has a manifesto that we are running with from 2021 up to 2026. This manifesto should be known by each and every leader so that it is like a yardstick to measure and explain our achievements as we go for 2026,” Khunga said.
Khunga also urged members of the public to actively participate and demand for specific projects to be implemented through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in their jurisdictions.
Khunga said as one of its achievements, the UPND government has given power to the people at grassroots level to chart their own development by choosing projects of their choice to be implemented through CDF.
He said that the UPND administration under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema has demonstrated its commitment to developing the country by consecutively increasing the CDF and urging people to leverage the development opportunities provided under the CDF.
“We can no longer go to Lusaka to lobby for money to buy desks and to build clinics and schools or do township roads because the money is here in constituencies. This is the achievement that President HH is scoring. I know enemies out there are saying there is nothing. K 30.6 million CDF you call it nothing? 30,000 teachers and 11,000 health workers beeing employed in a year you say there is nothing? I urge Zambians to support and in make use of President HH because he has a vision,” Khunga said.
And Khunga has directed UPND party officials not to directly interfere in the implementation of CDF projects but observe and raise concerns with relevant government offices.
“Raise concerns when projects are not being implemented properly. You have an interest to observe and ask through the CDF Chairperson and zonal representative. It’s not your duty to take on contractors doing CDF projects,” said Khunga.
And Kapiri Mposhi Constituency UPND Chairperson, Davy Ngwelela said the performance of the party through implementation of various projects in the constituency is attracting new membership to the ruling party.
Ngwelela added that more people are trooping to the party in the constituency especially following the restoration of law and order and elimination of carderism after the party formed government.
“The UPND in Kapiri Mposhi is very intact. The projects that are being implemented by the UPND administration are paying dividends. As a party what we need to do is work hard and explain these achievements to the people,” said Ngwelela.
Kapiri Mposhi District UPND Mobilisation Chairman Albert Mungochi has urged structures and general membership of the party not to be complesant but start mobilising and welcoming new members to the party ahead of the 2026 elections.
The party mobilisation conference was facilitated by the UPND Party Secretariat.
The constituency conference drew participation of leadership from all the 18 wards of the constituency who presented progress reports to the meeting.
