The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) says it is confident of securing another mandate in the August 13, 2026 general election, with youth voters expected to play a central role in determining the outcome of the poll.
Speaking during an interview on Hot FM, UPND National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso said the party is targeting 5.5 million votes and believes the country’s young population remains a key pillar of its electoral strategy. He argued that young people were instrumental in delivering victory to President Hakainde Hichilema in 2021 and could once again shape Zambia’s political future.
Liswaniso said the UPND campaign is focused on engaging young voters and reminding them of what the government has achieved since taking office nearly five years ago. He maintained that despite inheriting economic difficulties and facing challenges such as prolonged droughts, the administration has continued to prioritise programmes aimed at improving the lives of young people.
Among the achievements highlighted by Liswaniso were the introduction of free education, expanded skills training opportunities and increased recruitment within the public sector. He said thousands of young Zambians have benefited from access to education and vocational training programmes in fields such as carpentry, plumbing, welding and other trades.
He also pointed to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as one of the government’s most significant interventions, arguing that it has empowered communities and created opportunities at local level. According to Liswaniso, increased CDF allocations have enabled constituencies across the country to undertake development projects that were previously difficult to finance.
However, the programme remains a subject of debate. During the interview, questions were raised about concerns that many cooperatives and community groups have struggled to access CDF resources despite increased funding. Critics have also argued that the fund’s absorption rate has remained low in some areas.
Responding to the criticism, Liswaniso acknowledged that not every applicant has benefited from the programme but insisted that CDF has delivered tangible results in communities nationwide. He said citizens also have a responsibility to participate in local meetings and development processes to ensure they understand how resources are being allocated and utilised.
The conversation also turned to youth unemployment, one of the major issues expected to feature prominently in the election campaign. The interviewer questioned how the UPND intends to persuade young people who supported the party in 2021 on the promise of jobs but remain unemployed nearly five years later.
Liswaniso admitted that unemployment remains a challenge but argued that the government has made progress through investments in education, skills development and job creation initiatives. He said the party’s approach is to engage honestly with citizens, acknowledge areas where more work is needed and present what it believes is a broader record of achievement.
The interview further examined recent disputes surrounding the UPND’s candidate adoption process. Several constituencies experienced controversies involving multiple adoption certificates and disagreements among aspiring candidates, leading to accusations of confusion and poor coordination within the party.
Liswaniso conceded that mistakes were made in some constituencies but maintained that the overwhelming majority of nominations were handled successfully. He said party leaders had taken responsibility for addressing the issues and ensuring that affected areas were brought under control before the campaign period intensified.
Questions were also raised about reports of violence and intimidation involving party supporters. Liswaniso condemned violence and insisted that the UPND remains committed to peaceful campaigning. While acknowledging that isolated incidents had occurred, he argued that they should not be used to define the party as a whole.
He said party leaders continue to engage members at all levels to discourage violence and maintain discipline throughout the election period. According to Liswaniso, election seasons often create heightened tensions across the political landscape, making it important for all parties to promote peaceful conduct among their supporters.
The youth leader also defended the party’s internal disciplinary processes, particularly in relation to members accused of acting contrary to collective decisions. He argued that discipline is necessary to preserve unity and ensure the party remains focused on its broader objectives.
Throughout the interview, Liswaniso repeatedly stressed that no individual is bigger than the organisation and that party members are expected to respect decisions reached through internal consultation. He maintained that unity would be critical as the UPND seeks re-election in what is expected to be a highly contested poll.
Despite concerns over the cost of living, unemployment and internal disputes, Liswaniso expressed confidence that the ruling party remains well positioned ahead of the August election. He rejected suggestions that the UPND’s support is confined to traditional strongholds and said the party is concentrating on voter mobilisation across all provinces.
With the campaign season now fully underway, the UPND appears determined to centre its message on its record in government, youth empowerment programmes and promises of continued economic reforms. As millions of Zambians prepare to cast their ballots, the party believes the support of young voters could once again prove decisive in shaping the country’s political direction.
