Some Opposition Parties Are Secretly Backed by UPND – Fube

Chilubi Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube has alleged that some opposition political parties that participated in the Chawama parliamentary by-election were sponsored by the ruling United Party for National Development, accusing them of deliberately working to divide the opposition vote.

Fube said the decision by certain opposition parties to field their own candidates instead of supporting a single candidate under the Tonse Alliance amounted to acting as paid mercenaries on behalf of the ruling party. He said such conduct weakened collective opposition efforts and handed an advantage to the UPND.

He described the behaviour as shocking, stating that the refusal by some parties to cooperate contradicted the broader call for opposition unity ahead of the August general elections. Fube said opposition parties that genuinely sought political change should have prioritised collective action over individual ambitions.

Fube alleged that some opposition leaders spent more time attacking fellow opposition figures than challenging the ruling party, a pattern he said raised serious questions about their independence. He said the conduct suggested the presence of hidden sponsorship arrangements designed to fragment the opposition.

He said the Chawama by-election provided clear evidence that unity was possible and effective when opposition parties worked together. According to Fube, the outcome of the by-election demonstrated that a united front could defeat the ruling party.

Fube said the opposition’s failure to act collectively in certain cases benefited the UPND by splitting votes and confusing voters. He said such strategies undermined the democratic process and eroded public trust in opposition politics.

He also accused some members within opposition ranks of applying double standards, saying it was disturbing that even individuals within established parties appeared willing to work against collective interests. Fube said such behaviour weakened the credibility of the opposition as a whole.

Fube called on opposition parties to reassess their positions and recommit to unity if they were serious about removing the UPND from power. He said ego-driven politics and personal calculations had no place in a movement seeking national change.

He said opposition unity was not optional but necessary, warning that continued fragmentation would only prolong the ruling party’s hold on power. Fube said the lesson from Chawama should guide opposition strategy going forward.

Fube maintained that opposition politics must be grounded in discipline, cooperation, and shared purpose. He said the electorate had shown a clear preference for unity and expected leaders to rise above individual interests.