By Editor Zambia
As Zambia heads toward the August 13 general elections, the political mood across the country is becoming clearer by the day.
The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is not merely preparing for another contest. It is preparing for victory. Despite the noise from the opposition political benches and the predictable criticism that accompanies every election season, the indicators on the ground point to one unmistakable reality. The UPND is winning. 
Under President Hakainde Hichilema, the party has consolidated its national appeal, strengthened macroeconomic stability and pursued reforms that have resonated with ordinary citizens. From debt restructuring efforts to expanded social protection programmes and free education initiatives, the administration has presented itself as reform minded and forward looking.
Zambians may debate pace and implementation, but few can deny that direction and intent are visible.
The opposition, fragmented and struggling to recover from the excesses of the past, has failed to present a compelling alternative. While criticism is healthy in any democracy, it must be accompanied by credible solutions. On that score, UPND’s opponents appear weak and reactive. Even former critics quietly admit that the ruling party has managed to stabilise the economy after inheriting serious fiscal challenges.
Yet winning an election is not only about policy. It is also about organisation, discipline, and unity. And here lies the uncomfortable truth that must be confronted honestly. While the UPND is poised for victory, it is also carrying dead wood in ministerial positions, at the party secretariat, in embassies, and across government structures. These individuals, some appointed on the strength of loyalty rather than competence, are quietly undermining the President’s work.
The recent removal of ministers Elijah Muchima as minister of Health and minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Elias Mubanga is therefore welcome and necessary. It sends a clear signal that performance matters. It demonstrates that there are no permanent fixtures in public office. For a party that campaigned on accountability and good governance, decisive action against under-performing or controversial officials reinforces credibility rather than weakens it.
Eastern Province UPND die hard member James Banda has spoken candidly about this problem. His warning should not be dismissed as mere internal politics. Banda has accused selfish individuals within the party of making both President Hichilema and the UPND unpopular at the grassroots level.
According to him, mobilisation funds are not reaching structures on the ground. Provincial leaders are allegedly withholding resources meant for campaign activities. Such behaviour is not only unethical. It is politically dangerous.
If funds released for mobilisation do not reach ward and constituency structures, the party risks complacency. Elections are not won from air-conditioned offices in Lusaka. They are won in villages, compounds, and markets where volunteers knock on doors and engage voters. A provincial leader who sits on campaign funds out of greed or internal rivalry is effectively working against the President.
Banda’s warning that cooked data is being used to deceive the top leadership is equally alarming. Inflated membership figures and false reports of mobilisation success create a false sense of security. When polling day arrives, reality can be unforgiving. The President must insist on independent verification of party structures and ensure that those entrusted with resources are audited.
To his credit, UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has acknowledged concerns about officials pocketing money meant for party activities. That admission is important. Denial would only deepen mistrust. The next step must be firm action. There must be no sacred cows. Whether one considers oneself a founding member, a die-hard or one of the so called ‘true reds’, loyalty to the party cannot shield anyone from scrutiny.
It is indeed troubling that some elements, while enjoying the fruits of being in power, are allegedly bent on frustrating the President’s good works. These are the individuals who appear at public events to praise reforms yet sabotage implementation behind the scenes. They benefit from government positions but fail to defend or promote government achievements at the grassroots level. Such hypocrisy must be exposed.
UPND’s popularity today is anchored in policy delivery and the personal credibility of President Hichilema. Many Zambians believe he is sincere about reform. But sincerity at the top cannot compensate for indiscipline below. If selfish provincial leaders continue to suffocate mobilisation efforts, they could erode the margin of victory even if they cannot ultimately reverse it.
The hammer must fall where necessary. Ministers who fail to deliver should be reshuffled or removed. Embassy officials who do not advance Zambia’s diplomatic and economic interests should be recalled. Secretariat members who treat party resources as personal property should face disciplinary measures. Accountability must be consistent and visible.
The good news for the UPND is that the broader national mood remains favourable. Zambians remember the economic instability and governance controversies of previous administrations. They see progress, however, gradual, in the current trajectory. The party’s pro-poor policies, expanded social programmes, and emphasis on fiscal discipline resonate widely.
But political goodwill is not a permanent asset. It must be nurtured and protected. The President’s strongest asset is public trust. To safeguard it, he must demonstrate that no one is above the party and no one is above the people.
As August approaches, the path to victory is visible. The UPND stands ahead of its rivals in organisation, policy direction, and national appeal. Yet victory will not be automatic. It must be defended through unity, discipline, and internal cleansing.
James Banda’s message is, therefore, not an attack. It is a warning born of loyalty. A party doing so well under President Hichilema should not allow selfish individuals to sabotage its momentum. If decisive corrective measures are taken now, August will not merely confirm UPND’s strength. It will reaffirm that renewal begins from within.
