Chishimba Calls on Zambians to "Defend Progress"

United Progressive People (UPP) president Saviour Chishimba has urged Zambians to rally behind the country's reform agenda, framing the coming election as a defining choice between those who build the nation and those who seek to tear it down.

In a statement, the UPND Alliance partner reflected on President Hakainde Hichilema's path from opposition to State House, recalling the ridicule, arrests and false accusations the President endured during his years out of power. When voters finally handed him the mandate, Chishimba said, many anticipated revenge. Instead, the President chose restraint and reconciliation, turning his energy towards repairing an economy that had fallen into debt default, rebuilding investor confidence, restoring free education and strengthening social support programmes.

Chishimba was critical of those he accused of refusing to accept the will of the electorate. Rather than reflecting, he argued, some had simply regrouped, dismissing every achievement, attacking every success and exaggerating every challenge, with rumours manufactured and bitterness presented as patriotism.

Drawing a distinction between healthy disagreement and what he called the enemies of progress, the UPP leader stressed that democracy depends on debate, but warned against those who would make the nation lose faith in itself even as it moved in the right direction.

He closed by urging citizens not to surrender Zambia's future to anger and negativity, calling on patriots from every province, tribe and generation to rise in defence of the country's progress.