By Venus N Msyani
Corruption remains one of Zambia’s most persistent governance challenges, yet it is strikingly absent from the campaign messages ahead of the August 2026 general election.
Despite its continued impact on public trust, service delivery, and national development, none of the presidential candidates have committed to publicly declaring their assets annually if elected. This silence is notable, especially given how central the issue has been in Zambia’s political discourse over the past years.
Under the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration, corruption was positioned as a top priority. The government repeatedly emphasized a zero‑tolerance stance and encouraged citizens to embrace transparency as a national value.
However, transparency begins with leadership, and many Zambians have consistently called on President Hakainde Hichilema to disclose his businesses and properties.
His refusal to do so has created a credibility gap that has followed him throughout his term. For a president who campaigned on restoring integrity and accountability, the lack of asset disclosure has made it difficult for him to convincingly demonstrate the openness required for an effective anti‑corruption agenda.
The UPND’s 2021–2026 manifesto clearly states that the party is fully committed to fighting corruption, anchored on a strong principle of zero tolerance. The refusal to publicly declare assets is interpreted by many citizens as contradicting this message.
When leaders do not lead by example, the fight against corruption weakens, and public confidence erodes. It is exactly what the country has experienced under Hichilema’s leadership.
Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index report reinforces the concern, confirming that corruption remains a significant challenge in Zambia. Despite this, the issue is noticeably missing from the current election campaigns.
No candidate has outlined how they intend to confront corruption if elected, nor have they addressed the growing public demand for annual asset and liability declarations. This silence is even more surprising considering how heavily the UPND emphasized corruption during the 2021 general election.
In contrast, the topic is now absent from its 2026–2031 manifesto. It does not appear on the list of achievements, nor is it included among future targets. Many observers interpret this omission as an attempt to avoid renewed public pressure for asset disclosure, especially given the criticism the administration has faced on this matter.
The newly emerged opposition party, the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) under Brian Mundubile, comprising former Patriotic Front (PF) members and others, has also avoided addressing corruption.
The current administration has repeatedly labeled PF members as corrupt, yet it has welcomed some of them into its own camp and even adopted several to stand as MPs.
This inconsistency has fueled public perception that corruption is no longer a genuine concern for the UPND. It also strengthens Mundubile’s argument that “purification” has occurred, suggesting that those corrupt have left NRPUP and joined Hichilema, leaving his party clean.
While the argument appears to make some sense, Mundubile still needs to outline how he intends to confront corruption if elected. He needs to promise he will annually declare assets publicly. The fight against corruption is not worth abandoning for a country like ours, with a record of leaders seeking public office for the purpose of accumulating wealth.
President Hichilema’s refusal to demonstrate transparency has undermined the anti‑corruption effort. It shouldn’t be the end of the fight, but the beginning of a new approach.
It begins with acknowledging where we went wrong. We underestimated the importance of insisting that public asset declaration is essential for demonstrating transparency in the fight against corruption. Hichilema should have been reminded about this earlier, before he became the president.
Today, most, if not all, candidates have avoided mentioning corruption in their campaign messages. It is crucial to remind them that the fight against corruption continues. Zambia deserves a leader who doesn’t fear transparency. A leader who will lead by example, uphold integrity, and commit to annual public declarations of assets and liabilities.
The next leader must be prepared to demonstrate genuine transparency and take the fight against corruption seriously.
