HH: “We Have Walked a Long Road; We Don’t Want to Go Back to the Opposition”

President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) has reflected on the United Party for National Development’s (UPND) long journey to power, reminding supporters that the party spent 23 years in opposition before forming government in 2021.

Speaking during a political engagement, President Hichilema said the years spent outside government were marked by sacrifice, perseverance, and resilience.

“We have walked a long road; 23 years in opposition, and we suffered there. We don’t want to go back there.”

The President’s remarks come as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of Zambia’s 2026 General Elections, with the UPND seeking another mandate from the electorate.

His statement has generated discussion on social media, with supporters interpreting it as a call for party unity and hard work ahead of the elections. Others have viewed the remarks as an acknowledgment of the challenges the party faced before assuming office.

The UPND was founded in 1998 and remained in opposition for more than two decades before Hakainde Hichilema won the 2021 presidential election. During that period, the party contested multiple general elections while advocating for political change and economic reforms.

As the country moves closer to the polls, political competition is expected to intensify, with parties highlighting their achievements, presenting manifestos, and seeking to convince voters to support their respective candidates.

President Hichilema’s comments underscore the significance of the UPND’s journey from opposition to government and signal the party’s determination to retain power in the upcoming elections.

The statement has continued to attract mixed reactions online, with supporters and critics offering differing interpretations of its political message as Zambia prepares for another highly contested electoral season.