Changala Says UPND Was Ill-Prepared to Govern Zambia

By
Lusaka Times Editor
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32
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Changala Says UPND Was Ill-Prepared to Govern Zambia

Prominent governance activist Brebner Changala has sharply criticised the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), arguing that the party ascended to power in 2021 without a clear governance roadmap and remains fundamentally unprepared to lead the country.

Speaking in an interview with The Mast, Changala warned that the UPND’s continued failure to adequately plan, consult, and deliver on key national issues is plunging Zambia into a crisis of leadership and credibility. He asserted that the administration, despite enjoying immense goodwill upon assuming office, squandered public trust through what he described as poor decision-making and a narrow, exclusive leadership style.

“They didn’t have a plan. They had a desire to be in State House,” said Changala. “They ran a race of mudslinging and character assassination. They painted the PF as the most corrupt government in the history of this country, and they capitalised on that perception. But what we are seeing now is a party that was never ready to govern.”

He lamented that instead of uniting the country after defeating the Patriotic Front (PF), the UPND leadership has grown increasingly elitist and detached from the grassroots. Changala accused the party of engaging in selective consultations, favouritism in appointments, and a failure to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability it once championed in opposition.

“They are not engaging the stakeholders. They don’t listen to the people. They are only listening to a very close clique within the corridors of power. And that is a dangerous path to dictatorship,” he warned.

According to Changala, one of the clearest signs of poor leadership is the government’s failure to manage expectations, especially on the economic front. He questioned the slow pace of delivering jobs to the youth, the inconsistent policy environment, and the growing disillusionment among even the most passionate UPND supporters.

“Today the people who used to sing for the UPND and President Hichilema are the ones mocking him,” he noted. “They promised too much, and delivered too little. People are now waking up to the fact that slogans and soundbites are not governance.”

Changala, a veteran human rights defender, also cautioned that Zambia’s democracy is being weakened by what he called “a disguised authoritarianism” creeping into the political space. He cited the intolerance toward dissent, the weaponisation of law enforcement agencies, and the increasing surveillance and intimidation of civil society voices as indicators of shrinking democratic space.

“The UPND said they would be different. But how different are they if they’re now targeting critics and arresting opposition leaders?” he asked.

He also denounced the government’s failure to demonstrate empathy in times of national suffering, particularly pointing to rising living costs, water contamination issues, and an economic downturn that he said is hitting ordinary Zambians the hardest.

“It is not just about policies on paper. Leadership is about compassion. This administration has become arrogant. They think because they have numbers in Parliament, they are untouchable,” he added.

Changala expressed concern over the UPND’s inability to build sustainable bridges across political divides, suggesting that the party’s governance style is rooted more in political expediency than national development.

“You cannot lead this country by alienating others. Even the PF, as discredited as they were, still represent a significant portion of this country’s voice. They too must be heard,” he stressed.

He called on President Hakainde Hichilema to recalibrate his administration’s direction and reconnect with the ordinary people who placed him in power with great hope and belief.

“Leadership is about listening, humility, and course correction. This ship is veering off. The earlier they realise it, the better for this country,” Changala concluded.

His remarks echo a growing wave of concern across civil society and among political analysts who argue that the UPND’s early promises of reform and inclusive governance have been overtaken by insularity and poor execution.

32 COMMENTS

  1. PF had lost completely competency focus, therefore the exit door wssvrty inevitable. UPND was the only way to go, God saw Zambia in disarray and helped get rid of those humans with long fingers. The government is not your cookie jar.

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    • The same paid UPND cadres posting crap here are the ones who will bring the party to its knees. How can some one say PF was stealing when their own UPND ministers are now being investigated albeit secretly

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  2. This article highlights how Zambia’s leadership has been consumed by political fights rather than focusing on national progress, especially protecting our intellectual properties and economic interests. Instead of uniting the country, leaders wasted time fighting, missing the chance for an interim president to steer us through tough times. We need focused, patriotic leadership, not endless battles.

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  3. People like Changala should continue doing what they know best. They continue critisizing UPND because that suits them and they feel good about it. However as former civil servant I know as fact that most of the problems that UPND are due to the fact that the civil service has been damaged and compromised. Remember it is the public service that is supposed to deliver development administer CDF for example and nobody else.

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  4. We need a challenger someone who can control his GRZ
    we’ve been making excuses for too long now Let 2026 be a new beginning for Zambia

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    • There is no party that appears ready at the moment but of late I have noticed some consistence from the Leadership movement though largely unknown. They are promising to put up ZNS farms in all districts to boost food production and also create employment, they are promising a mineral reserve agency where people will be taking minerals for sale so as not to be exploited, they are also promising a quick title deed process. Sounds good i hope it won’t be a complete failed project like UPND if given power

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  8. I miss PF economy. I want that economy back. I don’t care about cadres any more. If cadres are harassing me but I am eating because prices of food are more affordable I am okay. I was buying a 25kg of roller meal at K90 during PF days. ECL worked, and devoid of self praise too

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    • If the price of roller meal was K90 and is now K290 my question is where was the K200 coming from? Do you want Government to under price the cost maize and kill the maize farming industry. I would rather have the maize industry developed than killing through low prices. Look at the broad picture before producing a statement.

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    • Zambia’s economy simply = the price of mealie meal? With such narrow minded focus no wonder Zambia never gets ahead

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  9. There is no party that appears ready at the moment but of late I have noticed some consistence from the Leadership movement though largely unknown. They are promising to put up state farms in all districts to boost food production and also create employment, they are promising a mineral reserve agency where people will be taking minerals for sale so as not to be exploited, they are also promising a quick title deed process

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  10. Leadership movement seems the serious party for now. They are promising to put up state farms in all districts to boost food production and also create employment, they are promising a mineral reserve agency where people will be taking minerals for sale so as not to be exploited, they are also promising a quick title deed process

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  11. My comments praising the leadership movement are being moderated our, I don’t know whether it is LT doing this or some planted people some where

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    • It happened to me, I don’t know whether it is LT doing this or some planted chaps from the failed party moderating out comments

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  14. Putting up state farms in all districts to boost food production and create employment

    I support Leadership movement on this

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  16. The lidaship movement is consistent, they are talking of putting up state farms in all districts to create employment, creating a mineral reserve agency and expediting titling. They are saying something, remember others are just talking about ECL though ECL worked hard than what is obtaining now

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  17. It’s a big what we have now. HH and his party preoccupation now is to destroy the opposition and suppress any dissenting views. It’s a full-blown dictatorship, a method of governance that is deployed where failure is clear.

    Despite promises to fight corruption, there are clear concerns about transparency and accountability within government institutions. Government officials suspected of involvement in corruption are being shielded, their names concealed and can’t be suspended to pave for proper investigations, that if at all there are any. HH and his minions know that once the extent of their corruption is exposed, they will come off worse than the PF.

    Uku, ekutoloka pa misu, nokwisa nyanta pa mafi.

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  18. It sounded so real that Bally would fix things. Alas it is just excuses and self praise. I think he did not know that no matter how much you raise cdf, it can not cure hunger and unemployment.

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  19. Without a doubt, UPND was very ill prepared. No clue on the economy and governance. Too much talk, no delivery

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    • And who told him that people eat free education, free education is necessary but is a long term goal, people are looking for immediate solutions. That is what they voted for. Bread and butter issues

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  20. Very true. UPND has spent 90% of their tenure talking about PF instead of fulfilling their campaign promises. You cannot keep on blaming the people who were kicked out of power each and everytime. UPND IS A FALED PROJECT AND WE OVERATED THE BIG MAN. Peoiple thought he was going to be a messiah. UPND promised to reduce the price of Fuel, mealie meal, load shedding but what is on the ground is totally different. They are just busy fixing the Lungu family over the remains of ECL who they had neglected. SHAME

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  21. People who appreciate what HH has achieved is not you and you have never been. Your fellow thieves who once ruled us at one time defaulted in paying back the money they borrowed which even attracted penalties.The country was bankrupt leaving the economy in ICU.You never voted for him despite he won with a wider margin which may even be doubled next year.

    -Free education and Meal Allowances to our student
    -Debt restructuring and dismantling it by paying back
    – Mines pf close are now Opening
    -Mulungushi textiles opening
    -Kafue plant to produce cheap fertiliser
    -Employment of young men and women
    -Paying farmers and pensioners on time
    -CDF
    -No more Hooligans at our bus stations and in our Markets
    -No one has been killed under HH by the police apart from armed illegal miners

    Mokose ba kawalala!

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    • Failure to tolerate constructive criticism, being channelled by yapping groupthink yes-men like you, is the first step on the road to failure to govern. That way lies paranoid dictatorship. Now relax, have a beer and allow people their right to have opinions

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  22. It’s a big mess what we have now. HH and his party’s preoccupation now is to destroy the opposition and suppress any dissenting views. It’s a full-blown dictatorship, a method of governance that is deployed where failure is clear.

    Despite promises to fight corruption, there are clear concerns about transparency and accountability within government institutions. Government officials suspected of involvement in corruption are being shielded, their names concealed and can’t be suspended to pave for proper investigations, that if at all there are any. HH and his cronies know that once the extent of their corruption is exposed, they will come off worse than the PF.

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  23. It’s a big mess what we have now. HH and his party’s preoccupation now is to destroy the opposition and suppress any dissenting views. It’s a full-blown dictatorship, a method of governance that is deployed where failure is clear.

    Despite promises to fight corruption, there are clear concerns about transparency and accountability within government institutions. Government officials suspected of involvement in corruption are being shielded, their names concealed and can’t be suspended to pave for proper investigations, that if at all there are any. HH and his people know that once the extent of their corruption is exposed, they will come off worse than the PF.

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