President Hichilema Rallies Luapula, Pledges Continued Development

President Hakainde Hichilema has urged the people of Luapula Province to return the United Party for National Development (UPND) to power in the August 13 General Election, promising to sustain and expand the development programmes delivered over the past four years.

On the first day of his tour, the President addressed engagements in Chienge, Nchelenge, Kawambwa and Mwense, calling on residents to "vote the chain" by backing the UPND presidential and all party candidates so that development could continue in a province he said had lagged behind for many years.

In Chienge, President Hichilema pledged major infrastructure works, including the Nchelenge–Chienge and Chienge–Lambwe roads and the Mwabu and Akafungulu bridges, alongside an expanded Farmer Input Support Programme, more FRA depots, and stronger health, banking and skills-training services. He assured farmers there would be no sharing of fertiliser.

In Nchelenge, he committed to improving roads, creating jobs and opening business opportunities through tourism, with support for fishing under the agriculture programme. In Kawambwa, the President noted concerns over urban and rural roads and reaffirmed that free education and efforts to lower the cost of living would continue.

Concluding in Mwense, he directed that volunteers in health, teaching and other professions who attended his meeting be absorbed into the ongoing recruitment exercise, stressing that peace remains the foundation of development.

Throughout, the President's message was consistent: continuity, jobs, and development for all of Luapula.