HH Seeks Fresh Mandate to Build on UPND Delivery Record

President Hakainde Hichilema says the UPND is going into the next election seeking a renewed mandate based on milestones achieved during its first four years and eleven months in office.

Addressing residents during a community engagement in Mwandi Constituency, Western Province, President Hichilema said the government’s development efforts have been felt across the country.

He said the introduction of the Free Education Policy remains among the government’s significant interventions, explaining that the initiative has enabled more than 2.5 million children to return to classrooms.

The President said he would further improve the Social Cash Transfer Programme, Cash for Work initiative, secondary school boarding bursaries and skills development bursaries.

On education, President Hichilema said government has continued to improve conditions in schools by providing desks and increasing the number of teachers in the system, with more than 45,000 teachers recruited since the UPND came into power.

He further said that more than 20,000 health professionals, including doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, have been employed to strengthen healthcare services and improve access to treatment nationwide.

President Hichilema said government has also opened up employment opportunities within the defence and security sector, with new recruits joining institutions such as the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service, Zambia Correctional Service and the Zambia Police Service.

He added that over one million jobs have been generated in different areas of the economy, including the mining sector, creating new opportunities for citizens and contributing to improved household livelihoods.

The engagement in Mwandi formed part of President Hichilema’s wider campaign tour of Western Province ahead of the upcoming August 13 general election.