Posts

01/05/2021

 

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema writes below…

We had a wonderful church service at Njanji SDA church in Lusaka, today.

When called upon, we encouraged fellow believers to remain strong and have faith in our God, Almighty.

The Body of Christ is one and we wish brethren going to worship tomorrow, Sunday, God’s grace and love.

Once more, Happy Sabbath to you all and may God Bless our Country.

 

Hakainde Hichilema

UPND President

 

Choma~26th April, 2021.

UPND National Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa has challenged Republican Vice President, Inonge Mutukwa Wina to tell the nation the source of the huge sums of money she was distributing to Solwezi residents yesterday.

Mr Mweetwa says the culture of openly distributing huge sums of money to ordinary citizens by senior government and PF party officials is alien in Zambia especially when the standard of living for the majority has become so bad.

He expressed worry that the sums being circulated wantonly by PF could be illicitly printed by the ruling party thus in contravention of the Financial and Bank of Zambia Acts.

“Foreign Affairs Minister  Joe Malanji was recently seen giving money to the people of Mwinilunga while former local government Permanent Secretary Eddie Chomba recently gave out huge sums to Marketeers in Mufulira. We want the PF to refute the existence of illicit money in circulation because this is not normal. This is the same money being used in buying off weak UPND souls,” he said.

The UPND Chief Mouthpiece further called on Zambians not to be cheated with the money being given, but should instead make a wise decision during the forthcoming general elections by voting for the UPND and its leadership into government.

“We want to appeal to the people of Zambia to receive that money, but don’t give them a vote. What kind of desperation is this? When I say they are buying UPND MP, when I say they are buying candidates in the UPND primary elections. When I said the PF are buying opposition MPs, I was accused of being a joker, a political demagogue. But now people can see what we are explaining. First it was merely common cadres such as Bowman Lusambo but now even the second highest politician in the nation has joined the wagon. We demand for an explanation from both the PF and BoZ on the source of this money before we suspect the involvement of the Central Bank in this scam,” Mr Mweetwa added.

He added that the UPND feels the 2021 elections will not be about manifestos but on who has the fattest pocket, saying this is defeating the purpose of democracy and governance where ideas are supposed to compete.

 

video —THEB1627

(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM

 

 

 

25/04/2021

By: Anthony Bwalya

In order for the economy to grow, there must take place economywide spending – either by government, individuals or both.

Since the PF came into office, they banked on economic growth spurred by excessive government spending, fuelled by expensive DEBT – $23BN and counting.

At the same time, microeconomic spending by individuals has been strangled over the same period – through HIGHER TAXES, unprecedented INFLATION and KWACHA DEPRECIATION.

Today, the PF government cannot spend anymore.

They have exhausted all available spending headroom, with our national revenue base marginal while NO ONE will lend them money.

So, the UPND will look to reenergizing growth by powering microeconomic spending by LOWERING TAXES and “untying” NAPSA resources so that they are available to contributors NOW!

Sceptics are asking the question of where will the money come from to fund such ambitious plans.

Well, here:

1. Win the war against government corruption – this will give us at least $2.5bn per annum

2. Improve tax compliance – this will net us another $2.5bn per year as we curb tax evasion and tax avoidance

3. Streamline government operations so that we achieve more with less – this is projected to net us close to $1bn per annum

4. Restructure and reschedule public debt – this will net as at least $1.2bn per year

When we succeed with these measures, which we absolutely must and we shall, there is no reason we should fail to give Zambian taxpayers and the microeconomy an estimated $1.5bn tax windfall over our first 5 years in office.

Zambians, the UPND has a plan of rebuilding this country by giving the economic power back to you and your families.

#Vote4change

23/04/2021

Contact : UPND Head of Policy and Research Bureau, Joseph Lungu +260967851083/0976503165

Email: upndzamba@info.com

The UPND has taken time to peruse through the newly launched ruling Patriotic Front-PF-88-page 2021-to-2026 Manifesto.

Our findings as a Government in waiting is that the document is full of ambiguities as it falls short of giving a clear-cut guideline of how the PF would make “manna rain from heaven” and how they intend to create the so-called jobs that the country desperately needs.

How could a government that promised heaven on earth, but delivered hell in the wrong run continue insulting the innocence and dignity of Zambians by pledging to use the same failed methods to fix the country’s ever-increasing and complex problems?

Like we have already stated, it is not a new piece of writing that is lacking in Zambia to provide the numerous solutions needed by the people, but new, credible, tested and tried leadership like that of President Hakainde Hichilema.

The PF should be judged not on their plan for the next five years, but on the failure to implement their manifesto for the last five 10 years they have been at the helm of national leadership.

The PF’s failures are there for all to see. Zambia is in an economic, social, political and cultural crisis. Our young people are unemployed. The price of food, fuel, cooking oil and other essential commodities is on a daily rise. Parents cannot afford to feed their children, late alone take them to school. There are no medicines in hospitals. There is intermittent load shedding. Rural and most township roads are in a deplorable state and impassable. Water is scarce and most households depend on water from shallow wells, or, they have to queue for long hours at communal taps to have a bucket full of water. The list of problems is endless.

After 10 years in office, this government has failed. Whatever they promise, we know they will not deliver and that another term of Lungu will not bring the much-needed change. With Lungu as president, nothing will change, and the next five years will look like the last five – if not worse. HH and UPND are the only solution to a better Zambia. It is Time for Change!!

Indeed, a party with a manifesto like the one for the PF is both a danger to itself and the people of Zambia.

We, therefore, urge the people of Zambia not to fall cheap traps by the PF and buy into the numerous lies that is contained in the 88-page long Manifesto not worth the salt.

(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM

17/04/2021

 

 

*Contact* : UPND Chair, Policy and Research, Joseph Lungu
0967851083

I wish to assure all my fellow Zambian citizens that UPND President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, widely known as HH, is ready and adequately prepared to shoulder the functions and responsibilities of the Republican president prescribed in the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and in subsidiary pieces of legislation.

First and foremost, President Hichilema, in exercise of the executive authority of the State, will adhere to the following provisions excerpted and adapted from Clause 3 of Article 91 of the current Constitution of Zambia:

(a)  Respect, uphold and safeguard our country’s Constitution;

(b)  Safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of Zambia;

(c)  Promote democracy and enhance the unity of the Nation;

(d)  Respect the diversity of the different communities of our country, as well as consider the appointment of citizens from a diversity of ethnic, gender and racial segments of Zambian society;

(e)  Promote and protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens and of all visitors to our Motherland; and

(f)  Uphold the rule of law, as well as promote the existence of non-discriminatory laws, and push for law enforcement organs of the government that are efficient, impartial, independent, and legitimate.

In addition to upholding the rule of law, President Hichilema is also abundantly aware of the need to put into practice all the other elements of good governance, which include the following:

(a)  Accountability—that is, availability of a mechanism for ensuring that public officials are directly and fully liable for the outcomes of their decisions and actions, and the appropriation of resources assigned to them;

(b)  Transparency—that is, public access to information about the state, its decision-making mechanisms, and its current and contemplated projects and programmes—except for state secrets and matters relating to public officials’ right to privacy;

(c)  Citizen participation—that is, availability of channels and mechanisms through which the citizenry and non-governmental institutions can have an influence on governmental decision-making processes and the behaviour and actions of public officials both directly and through their representatives in Parliament; and

(d)  A free press, whose functions in a democratic country like ours include serving as a watchdog to the three organs of the government, informing the public about issues which are of national interest, serving as a medium of communication that guarantees free and open debate and discussion among citizens, influencing public opinion through impartial and fair analysis of issues affecting the country and its people, serving the economic system through sponsored advertisements designed to bring buyers and sellers into contact with each other, and serving as a medium for entertaining the public.

Accordingly, President Hichilema will be guided by the foregoing principles and Constitutional provisos in tending to the other important functions and responsibilities stipulated in Article 91, Article 92, Article 96, and other Articles of the Constitution of Zambia with dignity, leadership and integrity.

These functions and responsibilities include the following:

(a)  Preside over national affairs as the country’s Head of State and Government, and as Commander-in-Chief of the various units of the Defence Force;

(a)  Appoint ambassadors, high commissioners, plenipotentiaries, diplomatic representatives, and consuls;

(b)  Receive and accredit foreign ambassadors, high commissioners, plenipotentiaries, diplomatic representatives, consuls, and heads of international organisations;

(c)  Negotiate and sign international agreements and treaties and, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, ratify or accede to international agreements and treaties;

(d)  Establish, merge and/or dissolve Government ministries, subject to the approval of the National Assembly;

(e)  Confer honours upon deserving citizens and non-citizens residing within and outside Zambia;

(f)  Initiate Bills for submission to, and consideration by, the National Assembly;

(g)  Appoint the Secretary to the Cabinet, Attorney-General, Solicitor-General,  Director of Public Prosecutions, Investigator-General, puisne judges,  the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Industrial Relations Court, and the Auditor-General in consultation with relevant organs of government and subject to ratification by the National Assembly; and

(h)  Appoint members of an Advisory Committee on the prerogative of mercy which shall advise him on actions and/or decisions to be taken in granting relief to any deserving person convicted of an offence by a court or court-martial.

Besides, we are all aware of the numerous socioeconomic issues and matters which President Hichilema’s administration will have to tackle after the elections scheduled to be held on August 12, 2021, including the creation for a more effective and efficient national government, providing for greater  access to education and training, providing for merit-based scholarships for vocational training and university education, providing for low-interest educational loans, providing for an efficient and effective healthcare system, providing for greater and sustained food security, and creation of greater employment opportunities.

Other important issues and matters which the new administration is geared to address include public infrastructure, garbage collection and disposal, socioeconomic conditions in rural areas, electricity tariffs and interruptions in the supply of electricity, the scourge of corruption, the needs of street children and the handicapped, the preservation and protection of our country’s fragile natural environment, and implementation of projects and programmes initiated by President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front in our country’s 10 provinces.

Needless to say, the Patriotic Front assumed the reins of power in September 2011, but the socioeconomic conditions facing the majority of citizens have continued to worsen during the 10 years the ruling political party has been in power. And, unfortunately, the gifts and donations in the form of cash, bicycles, automobiles, and mealie meal which President Lungu and the Patriotic Front are dishing out will not solve the prevailing socioeconomic problems facing the country and its people.

Voters who have the interest of our beloved country and its people at heart, therefore, will need to guard themselves against giving the Patriotic Front and Dr. Lungu another term of office later this year. There is really nothing meaningful which the party can do over the next 5 years that will address the backlog of unfulfilled promises.

UPND MEDIA TEAM

10/04/2021

 

Dear President Hichilema,

I took time to listen to the manifesto presentation that was delivered by the UPND team yesterday. As a person with an economist background, I was particularly interested in listening to what Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane had to say, since he is the man in charge of economic policy.

I was delighted to learn that Dr Musokotwane and his team, had spent years studying the Asian Tigers, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore with the intention to model Zambia on the same premise. His presentation was a breath of fresh air.

Among the takeaways for me were the confidence that the UPND would have among Zambia’s lenders. This is crucial for us to negotiate better terms on our current indebtedness.

Zambia’s debts have crippled this economy.

We are unable to service crucial sectors of our economy due to the stranglehold that our repayments have on us.

From 1991 to date, we have lacked a serious thought process to address our issues. Serious problems require serious thinking, burning the midnight oil until solutions are found. Unfortunately, our economy  has been handled with such a casual attitude, to a point where even the leader general shockingly said Zambians are doing fine.

Sir, the manifesto released yesterday, showed a resolute conviction and bold focus to deliver a better Zambia. I noted the following:

==>Copper output from the current 800, 000 MT to 3 million MT are bold steps that shows seriousness. This will bring the much needed forex.

==> 4 million jobs within 10 years is another impressive focus. The youth are currently deflated due to lack of jobs. This would fill the void and spur a happier and healthier citizenry.

==> Boost manufacturing by 15%  within 5 years and by 25% in 10 years. We have struggled as a country in this area for years. Finally there is a plan in place.

==> A wholistic approach to agriculture, revamping extension services, access to cheaper, loans, cheaper fertilizer, farming implements including livestock provision. All this to establish Zambia as a food basket in the region.

==> To become an exporter of agro produce to DRC, Angola, Botswana etc.

==> Youth, women and people with disabilities. Transformation through establishment of Zambia Enterprise Development and free education. This would address the disillusionment currently being experienced in the country.

Sir, the energy sector and tourism have also been adequately addressed to end load shedding for good and to open up Zambia as a tourist destination respectively.

One other major aspect to me is the 100% distribution of water to both urban and rural areas in 10 years. This would bring us at par with Botswana which has managed piped water even in villages, despite it being in a semi arid area.

I am more than confident sir that you will deliver for the Zambian people. People who are thoroughly prepared for a journey are more likely to reach their destination. The UPND is ready.

Bravo to you sir, I look forward to the UPND government.

Yours sincerely,
Kasololo Chisenga