The Editor Zambia
Recent remarks attributed to Tonse Alliance leader Brian Mundubile disputing claims of widespread popularity for the governing United Party for National Development (UPND) appear less like an objective assessment of Zambia’s political climate and more like an expression of political frustration.
The reality is that the UPND is not a “newspaper political party” that survives on publicity or messaging alone. To the contrary, the ruling party’s strength lies in the work being done on the ground to fulfil the commitments contained in its manifesto and the mandate given by the Zambian people in the 2021 Zambian general election. 
When citizens voted overwhelmingly for President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND, they did so with clear expectations of economic recovery, improved governance, and better public service delivery.
The government’s popularity today is therefore rooted in tangible policy actions rather than slogans or media narratives.
Across the country, communities are witnessing a steady implementation of programmes aimed at improving livelihoods.
Investments in education through free schooling, increased social support programmes, and efforts to stabilise the economy have become part of everyday discussions among ordinary citizens.
These are not abstract promises but practical steps that are gradually shaping people’s daily lives.
Unlike political parties that rely on rhetoric, the UPND leadership has prioritised direct engagement with communities. Government officials continue to travel across provinces, interacting with farmers, traders, students, and civil servants to understand their concerns. Such interactions demonstrate that governance is not conducted from newspaper columns but through direct engagement with the electorate.
It is, therefore, unsurprising that the ruling party continues to enjoy significant public goodwill.
Popularity in politics is rarely sustained by words alone; it is built through consistent action.
Zambians are capable of evaluating leadership not merely through political commentary but through the changes they see in their communities.
Mundubile’s comments suggest that public opinion should be judged by the economic challenges citizens face. That argument overlooks the broader context in which the current government assumed office.
When the UPND came into power, it inherited serious economic difficulties that required urgent reforms. Addressing those challenges has demanded difficult but necessary policy decisions aimed at restoring long-term stability.
Rather than acknowledging these efforts, some opposition figures appear more comfortable dismissing the government’s progress. In many cases, such criticism reflects political rivalry rather than a balanced evaluation of national developments.
Indeed, the continued debate about popularity may itself be an indication of the ruling party’s political strength. When a government demonstrates visible progress and maintains a strong connection with citizens, opponents often resort to questioning public perception in an attempt to weaken that narrative.
But Zambians are not guided solely by political statements. They judge leadership by results, by the presence of development initiatives in their communities, and by the responsiveness of those in power.
In that regard, the UPND’s approach remains clear: engage citizens directly and deliver on the promises that secured electoral victory.
From rural constituencies to urban centres, the party’s leaders continue to emphasise accountability and policy implementation rather than political theatrics.
Claims that the party’s popularity is exaggerated, therefore, ignore the lived experiences of many citizens who recognise the ongoing efforts to stabilise the country and improve governance.
Political competition is a normal and healthy part of democracy. Opposition voices have every right to challenge government policies and narratives. However, dismissing the ruling party’s popularity without acknowledging the progress made risks reducing serious political debate to partisan speculation.
Ultimately, the true test of popularity will come when voters once again exercise their democratic choice. If current trends in citizen engagement and policy delivery continue, the UPND is well positioned to maintain the trust of the electorate and secure another mandate to govern.
For now, the facts remain simple: the UPND’s popularity is not manufactured in newspaper headlines.
It is being built in communities across Zambia through policies, programmes, and a government that remains actively engaged with the people it serves.
