Lusaka~18th March, 2021.
Video —PNNE7328
Newly appointed UPND Secretary General, Batuke Imenda has assured youths in Zambia of a better life under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership.
And Mr Imenda says the Party is aware of issues affecting Zambians especially youths who despite having skills and education attained have been left on the streets without jobs.
Speaking during the press briefing held at the party Secretariat this morning, Mr Imenda said testimonies by youths and retirees are real and need a government that has the interest of people at heart .
” President Hakainde Hichilema’s experience in politics has revealed his dream and vision to serve the people of Zambia and protect the country’s economy from total collapse.
Mr Imenda, after welcoming ambassadors of change expressed sadness that the hard economic tide in the country has forced majority of youths to abuse of alcohol and drugs.
He told the youths that President Hichilema did a lot as a youth because government at that time facilitated and created a conducive environment for him to develop his career.
” He feels indebted to the people of Zambia and therefore wants the youths to have the same opportunity he had when he gets into office.” said Mr Imenda.
He assured the youths that hope and help was on the way and that President Hichilema was more than ready to deliver the country from suffering and misery.
“To the youths, don’t despair because Bally, our Moses, is coming to give you quality education and health care. Those with skills will venture into entrepreneurship while graduates will have jobs after their training,” he said.
Mr Imenda, also accused the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) of deliberately frustrating aspirants who have been made to spend days on the queue at the ECZ offices.
Meanwhile, UPND deputy secretary general for Political Affairs, says those who paid the initial fees prior to the downward adjustments would be refunded.
“Those who paid the initial amounts will be refunded after being processed accordingly,” he said.
The revised fees are now as follows for the various applicants:
1. Councillors (rural)-K50 from initial K300;
2. Councillors (urban)-K150 from initial K300;
3. Council Chairpersons (rural)-K1, 000 from the initial K2, 000 and
4. Council Chairpersons (urban)-K1, 500 from initial K5, 000.
However, for Mayor and Members of Parliament (MPs), the fees remain pegged at K5, 000.
Photo focus:
UPND MEDIA TEAM
17/03/2021
This morning UPND Bwacha Aspiring MP Mr Percy Chato submitted his documents before UPND headquarters in his aspiration to serve the people of Bwacha constituency in Kabwe district Central province.
Speaking after handing over his documents, Mr Chato said he was ready to deliver Bwacha for the UPND come August 12th 2021.”
Its my belief that HH will restore the rule of law and create jobs for youths once voted into office.
Video —BXMD7779
(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM
Lusaka- 17/03/21
Newly appointed UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda has committed to immediately begin campaigning full throttle in his new capacity so as to ensure victory for the party in August.
Mr Imenda has urged all members of the party at all levels to work hard towards winning the August 12 elections.
The Secretary General was speaking when he met the Lusaka District UPND officials today.
In his first engagement following his appointment as the Secretary General yesterday, Mr Imenda called for unity in the party structures.
“I am humbled to be given this position but take note that I believe in working with all members at all levels so as to deliver the August 12 vote” he said.
Mr Imenda urged UPND members to put the party first and welcome new members into the party. He warned that this is not the time to fight people who are joining the party but welcome them & show them that UPND is a party of unity.
” I take this opportunity to ask you all to put the party first and not personal interests as we want to see the President Hakainde Hichilema in office and the UPND in power in August” He said.
The Secretary General was accompanied by the Deputy National youth Chairperson Mr Trevor Mwiinde. He was met by Lusaka District officials led by the District Chairman Mr Saviours Ndaba and District Vice Chairman for Politics Mr Akim Moono.
Others present were Constituency and District youths wing officials.
Photo Focus
(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM
10/03/2021
United Party For National Development UPND National Management Committee through the deputy secretary general Mr Patrick Mucheleka has appointed Mr Daniel Kamenga as the Provincial Chairperson and Mr Kangwa Kamando as Deputy Youth Chairperson.
The appointments have been made following the untimely deaths of comrade Ronald Bwalya Manenga who was the provincial youth Chairperson and Comrade Gerald Ngoma who served as the provincial deputy Youth Chairperson; both died in the fatal car accident along Ndola road on 3rd January 2021.
Speaking during the unveiling event this afternoon at the Copperbelt Province Secretariat in Kitwe District, Copperbelt Province Chief Mr Elisha Matambo says this is a day which will all remember because in every journey there turbulences.
He said “when you are flying, to those who have thrown before you go through a lot of turbulences many times, which does not meaning you are crushing, but you go through turbulences with the help of our Father in heaven and you land safely.”
He said this year 2021 started with a storm which claimed the lives of our dear gallant solders comrade Ronald Bwalya Manenga and Cde Gerald Ngoma. But here comes a time that despite all the turbulences, a storm like the one we had. there is always a time like this to put the broken pieces together.
The Copperbelt provincial Chairman Mr Matambo also took time to thank the families of the late comrade Ronald Bwalya Manenga and Cde Gerald Ngoma for sharing the lives of the two gallant solders with the UPND family.
Mr Matambo further went on to urged the newly appointed provincial Youth Chairperson Mr Daniel Kamenga and his vice Youth Chairperson Mr Kangwa Kamando to pick it up from where the late comrade Ronald Bwalya Manenga and Cde Gerald Ngoma left, adding that it will be a disservice if we failed to achieve what the two dear brothers stood for.
Speaking at same event was the newly appointed Copperbelt Provincial Youth Chairperson Mr Daniel Kamenga.
He said it is indeed with a great sense of gratitude and humility that I stand here before you to receive, or rather accept my appointment as Copperbelt province Youth Chairperson. He said “I must hasten to state that I am deeply humbled by this recognition, that out of many eminently qualified leaders across this great Copperbelt province, you have settled for me, a humble little fellow standing before you. I am very grateful for this and I will not take it lightly.
The newly appointed Copperbelt Province Youth Chairperson further assured the party president Mr Hakainde Hichilema and the entire party leadership that he understand the enormity of the task ahead and stated that he was equal to the task and at no point will he let the party down.
He also said “I am aware and alive to the fact that our departed Comrades had set the leadership bar very high, and while not promising to be them, as there can only be one person at the time, it’s my strong conviction and belief that I will emulate our gallant solders courage, follow their footsteps by delivering selfless and servant leadership, as he added that “ours will be a leadership aimed at building a formidable Youth movement that will ensure president Hakainde Hichilema is safely taken to State House through a ballot.”
And speaking during the same event was the newly appointed Vice Youth Chairperson Mr Kangwa Kamando who expressed gratification for the appointment and vowed to ensure the Social Contract program is achieved.
Mr Kamando said we are determined to ambitiously pursue the special assignment of the Social Contract and ensure that the dream of our departed dear brothers is achieved. This in our view will be one of the best ways of honouring our gallant solders.
Also speaking the same unveiling event, was the National Deputy Youth Chairperson Cindy Kauka who congratulated the appointees and called for unity of purpose.
The National Deputy Youth Chairperson said there was a need to bury all our differences and move forward together as the party and as the youths.
She said the National Youth Chairperson Mr Gilbert Liswaniso popularly known as General Mosquito want to work with a more united, loyal, disciplined and hardworking Youth movement with a common goal of ensuring our party president Mr Hakainde Hichilema emerge victorious in the forthcoming general elections.
She added that the journey to take president Hakainde Hichilema to State House entirely depends on us youths. So we need to be more united than ever before, because the house which divided cannot stand, as we go out and hit the ground running and mobilize more members, most especially the youths.
By
Cde Emmanuel Mwansa
Kitwe District IPS In Charge Of Media
10th March, 2021.
watch video here —JSOQ4375
The UPND has opened applications for its members aspiring to contest as MPs, Mayors, Council Chairpersons and Councillors on its ticket for the forthcoming 12th August general elections.
And the party has set Friday, 19th March, 2021 as the deadline for applications.
Making the announcement during a press briefing at the UPND secretariat this morning, Elections Chairperson, Garry Nkombo stated that those who intended to apply on the party ticket must have been in good standing with the party for over 2 years.
He also stressed that applicants needed to have the prerequisite academic qualifications that must be certified by the Education Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
Applicants must have been members of the party in good standing for at least two (2) years and above with a Grade Twelve Certificate or equivalent as stipulated by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and/or the Constitution of Zambia,” he said.
He stated that a green National Registration Card-NRC-and a Voters’ Card should be attached to the applications for them to be considered valid.
He has also cautioned those who wish to defect or stand as independents if they are not adopted to be wary of such intentions, that the party would consider them as traitors for the foreseeable future.
The application fees for the various portfolios are pegged at:
1. Member of Parliament (MP)-K5, 000;
2. Mayor-K5, 000;
3. Council Chairman-K2 000 and
4. Councillors-K300
UPND MEDIA TEAM
9th March, 2021.
The long-held view that the Eastern Part of Zambia was a ruling Patriotic Front (PF) strong-hold has been annulled.
This comes to light in the wake of the tour that newly-appointed UPND national women Affairs Chairperson, Doreen Mwamba took in the company of her deputies, Edith Kamanga and Gladys Tavaris took of Eastern Province on Monday, 8th March, 2021.
Ms Mwamba, upon traversing the full breadth of the Eastern Province, revealed to the UPND Media Team that the long-held-belief that most of Eastern and northern regions of the country were PF strongholds were a fallacy and unrealistic.
She stated that upon travelling through Katete, Sinda, Petauke and Nyimba, her experience depicts a whole lot of changed political spectrum in which the favour and wind of change favoured President Hakainde Hichilema to emerge victorious in the forthcoming 12th August, 2021 general elections.
“Am so proud that they want a fellow farmer who understands what they need, they told me that east belongs to the people of Zambia and not PF. They even revealed that no empowerment as put by PF will ever change their vote because PF has inflicted poverty on them and has been full of lies and tricks in their way of governance. Come 12th August they will vote for HH and UPND.” said Ms Mwamba
She has since called on all UPND members not to be hoodwinked with the cheap political talk and rhetoric that the PF would be retaining power come August 12th, as the political tide had shifted towards the largest opposition party in the country.
The UPND Media Team witnessed a sharp rise in the praises and accolades being showered on the UPND leader, whom most people said was the final redeemer to their perpetual malady and infirmity of untold misery and poverty.
Ms Mwamba told the people in Eastern province that their lives will change after voting for President HH because they will be run their farming as business to fully sustain their lives.
Ms Mwamba thanked the Provincial team for the thunderous welcome and unity exhibited among members.
Ms Mwamba was accompanied by her two deputies Ms Tarvaris and Ms Kamanga, senior pary officials madam vibetti, Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya, Special Assistant to President Hakainde Hichilema, Chella Tukuta the photographer and others.
Photos –
UPND MEDIA TEAM
Lusaka~March 8th, 2021.
United Party for National Development (UPND) Vice President, Ms Mutale Nalumango has called on women in the country to rise up and demand their rights in order to weather the political storms and injustices they suffer.
This year’s International Women’s Day is being held under the theme: Women In Leadership Achieving An Equal Future In A COVID-19 World
In wishing the women a happy International Women’s Day which falls today, Ms Nalumango reiterated the need for women to demand a safer political playing field that would allow them to freely participate in politics.
“Rise up! Rise up and weather the storm! Demand for your space as the daughters of Manasseh because if you sit quietly, they will forget you. We have signed numerous protocols as a country and one of this protocol calls for us to have 50 per cent in all decision making positions of Government. But do you know that we have a [paltry] 17 per cent women in the Zambian Parliament against the required 50 per cent,” she said.
She stressed that the demands for gender equity and equality both in the country’s political playing field and in society, in general, wasn’t meant to suppress the men, but as a means for moving together.
“We are not saying we will take over from you men. But what we are saying is that we must walk together because you don’t understand how we feel. The woman is the only person who knows what happens in the development of a child in the womb. When human life is hopeless and dependent on the mother: come on and be proud of you. That is a woman. I was only you and me [for nine months],” she said.
She stated that it was gratifying that the world had finally come to appreciate the critical role that women play in the various facets of human endeavours.
“World over, women have been regarded as minors-people who do not grow and do not think. But the world has seen that a woman is a great contributor to development. We keep the home; we keep the peace. When a woman rises, the nation rises,” she said.
She said that it was regrettable that women have for too long been treated as the weaker sex when they were the source of life who understood conception and the pains that comes with it.
“You need a woman to help formulate health policies because I feel what my fellow women feel. On 12th August, we come in and for us its proportional Representation so that the youth and the woman know what per cent is allocated to them in decision-making positions of government.
She has since applauded President Hakainde Hichilema’s fulfilment of the pledge to increase the number of women in the UPND National Management Committee (NMC) to 32 of the 70 members in the highest decision making organ of the party.
Newly appointed UPND Chairperson for Special Duties, William Banda has called on party functionaries to rally behind Ms Nalumango as she delivers her duties as UPND Veep.
“Madam Vice President, Mercy Changwe has said something important…about discipline and protocol. That’s the task I have been given and I will ensure that discipline takes centre-stage in UPND. We are lucky to have Ms Nalumango as the new UPND vice president. Therefore, let’s support her,” said Mr Banda.
Mercy Changwe, who has endured endless, brutal attacks at the hands of the PF, stated that she was saddened that a Government that prides itself in safeguarding the wellbeing of women could allow its caders to continue attacking her unabated.
“I was attacked by PF for displaying UPND regalia on my makeshift stand in Woodlands. These PF cadres have been attacking me for merely being a [fearless] UPND,” she said.
And NDC Lusaka Province Women’s Chairlady Mrs Maureen Sense expressed happiness that the presidential candidate has been identified and it’s Mr Hakainde Hichilema.
“All NDC members who have seen and know the problems have decided to support the UPND alliance because there’s hope in the alliance,” she said
She urged the women in the alliance to work together during the run-up to the August 12 elections.
UPND MEDIA TEAM
Lusaka~7th March 2021.
Newly appointed UPND Chairperson for Local Government and Housing, Newton Samakayi says UPND in government will speed up the full implementation of the decentralisation policy in order to take the Local Government down to the communities.
Mr Samakayi said decentralisation is key in creating a reliable administration needed to improve service delivery and include communities in the development process.
Mr Samakayi says the Patriotic Front (PF) government has totally failed to deliver services needed by the communities because they have ignored local government.
“UPND attaches great importance to decentralisation because that is the vehicle to local Development and improving people’s lives. PF has failed local government,” says Mr Samakayi.
He said decentralisation brings along communities in the decision-making process and this is the reason why the UPND will speed up the policy and fully implement it.
He said it is laughable that the PF was equating the few fly-over bridges that have sprung up across the country to development when more than 50, 000 teachers have not been employed and the majority of Zambians are living in poverty.
Mr Samakayi, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mwinilunga Constituency disclosed that UPND in government intends to ensure increased, timely and consistent allocation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
He said UPND in government will increase CDF allocation to constituencies from the current K1, 6 million to a new figure matching with the size of the constituency.
“For us, we see decentralization as the key to development. We believe that development should be related to people’s needs, one cannot talk about development when people are living in abject poverty with poor infrastructure,” said Mr Samakayi.
He said improving the living standards of the people, lowering the cost of essential commodities and access to service delivery to the people were the three (key) pillars of development.
UPND MEDIA TEAM
Paul Moonga’s wild allegations against the Malawian Judiciary are a serious Diplomatic blunder!
Media reports carried by the Mast Newspaper dated 6 March 2021, attributed to Mr Paul Moonga, a senior ruling Patriotic Front party official, casting doubt on the credibility of the Malawian judiciary, are highly uncalled for and most unfortunate, and hence must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
Mr Moonga’s utterances were careless, unguarded and undiplomatic. Alledging that a duly elected Govt was fraudulently installed in power by a corrupted Judiciary is an insult and a slap in the face of the Malawian Govt and the people of Malawi, who in their own wisdom took to the streets in protest against what they saw as fraudulent elections. For the PF official to publicly insinuate that the Malawian Judiciary professionally misconducted itself by coming to the aid of the Malawian people, is highly offensive, provocative and uncalled for.
The events that unfolded in Malawi following the highly disputed elections, were not shrouded in secrecy, as they were transparently carried by both local and international media for all to see and follow.
Hence Mr Paul Moonga’s unsubstantiated allegations are not only deliberate, and outrageous, but inflammatory as well to the government and the people of Malawi.
It is very undiplomatic and risky to accuse a Judiciary of a foreign government of illegal acts as it endangers bilateral relations. Malawi is not only a sister country within the SADC, but a neighbour closely bound to Zambia by history, a shared border, and culture.
It is a country with which Zambia has historically enjoyed friendly relations, and hence, Zambia can not risk souring such mutually beneficial relations through careless utterances such as issued by Mr Paul Moonga, a Patriotic Front government representative.
Our position is therefore unequivocal. We demand that the PF government issues an apology to the Malawian government unreservedly regarding this diplomatic blunder.
UPND MEDIA TEAM
Solwezi – 6.03.2021 On behalf of my fellow women, we would like to express our profound gratitude to our Party President, Hakainde Hichilema for coming up with gender, regional and ethnically-balanced NMC composition.
The inclusion of more than 30 women in the NMC in respect to calls by various stakeholders is a clear indication that Mr Hichilema values the critical role that women play in ensuring social, political and cultural stability in any given society.
Contrary to assertions on various social media platforms that, President Hichilema single-handedly came up with the office-bearers, we wish to strongly emphasize that such appointments were done after wide consultations with various stakeholders including the Party grassroots.
The historic appointment of Ms Mutale Nalumango as the first female UPND Vice President and the subsequent appointment of Ms Namakau Kabwiku as Deputy National Chairman must be applauded by every well-meaning Zambians and all Party functionaries.
Contrary to assertions that Hon. Stephen Katuka’s appointment as National Chairperson is a demotion, the UPND takes great exception to such misleading, cheap political rhetoric and propaganda by the enemies of progress who have no understanding that the portfolio in question is the 3rd highest position in the UPND, constitutionally!
We, therefore, wish to urge all our members across the country to respect the decision by our President and desist from churning out falsehoods with regards to these appointments.
Let me take this opportunity to also wish women across the country to choose to challenge all issues hindering our efforts towards achieving gender equality
UPND MEDIA TEAM
