The Editor Zambia
The most politically symbolic moment of President Hakainde Hichilema’s Northern Province tour came in Mporokoso, the home district of Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance leader Brian Mundubile.
Long regarded as one of the opposition’s strongholds, Mporokoso delivered a massive turnout for President Hichilema, suggesting that traditional political loyalties are giving way to support based on development and governance. 
The reception accorded to President Hichilema in Mundubile’s own backyard has reinforced the growing perception that Zambia’s political landscape is undergoing a significant transformation ahead of the August 13 general election.
The most striking image from the tour came from Kaputa, where thousands of residents gathered to welcome President Hichilema following a mobilisation effort led by UPND parliamentary candidate Elvis Nkandu.
For a district with a relatively small population, the turnout reflected remarkable enthusiasm and suggested that many residents are embracing the government’s message of development and inclusive governance.
Rather than relying solely on political rhetoric, President Hichilema presented a clear development agenda tailored to the needs of each district in the province.
In Kaputa, he committed his government to constructing a fully-fledged general hospital, completing the long-awaited Mununga-Kaputa-Mporokoso Road and ensuring the district benefits from the ongoing recruitment of health workers.
These are commitments aimed at addressing long-standing challenges that have affected healthcare delivery and economic connectivity in the area.
In Chilubi, the President reaffirmed his commitment to unlocking the district’s economic potential through increased public investment. He highlighted achievements such as free education, expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations, and the recruitment of thousands of teachers and health workers as evidence that the UPND government has already begun transforming lives across Zambia.
His pledge to continue investing in Chilubi reflected a broader vision of ensuring that rural communities are not left behind.
Residents of Nsama also received significant commitments, including the tarring of the Mporokoso- Nsama Road, the reopening of Kasaba Bay Airport, improvements to electricity and water infrastructure, and expanded telecommunications services.
Such projects have the potential to stimulate tourism, agriculture, and local commerce while improving access to essential services.
Perhaps the most politically significant stop was Mporokoso, home district of Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance leader Brian Mundubile.
For years, many political commentators viewed Mporokoso as firmly aligned with the opposition. However, the large crowds that welcomed President Hichilema suggest that political loyalties are becoming increasingly fluid and that voters are placing greater emphasis on performance and development rather than historical voting patterns.
President Hichilema reminded residents that during previous elections, opposition political parties often complained about restrictions on political campaigning. He contrasted that period with today’s political environment, where all parties are free to campaign throughout the country.
His emphasis on democratic freedoms and peaceful political competition reinforced one of the key messages of his administration—that Zambia’s democracy is stronger when every citizen is allowed to participate freely.
President Hichilema also condemned political violence, paying tribute to the late UPND supporter Humphrey Lwisha and calling on all political players to reject violence as a campaign strategy.
This message of peace has become an important component of his campaign, particularly as the country approaches polling day.
Several factors explain why many analysts believe President Hichilema enters the August 13 election with considerable momentum. Over the past five years, his administration has implemented free education, substantially increased CDF allocations to local authorities, recruited thousands of teachers and health workers, pursued infrastructure development, and placed renewed emphasis on economic recovery.
These programmes have reached communities across the country, including areas that traditionally supported opposition parties.
The enthusiastic reception witnessed in Kaputa, Chilubi, Nsama, and particularly Mporokoso indicates that voters are increasingly evaluating leaders based on tangible development outcomes rather than political history.
The willingness of thousands to attend campaign rallies in districts once considered opposition territory illustrates the growing appeal of a development- centred message.
As election day approaches, Northern Province appears to be emerging as one of the key battlegrounds that could reshape Zambia’s electoral map.
It is clear that the enthusiasm displayed during President Hichilema’s tour will be reflected at the ballot box and demonstrates that no region can permanently be regarded as the exclusive preserve of any political party.
The Northern province tour underscore a broader shift towards issue-based politics, where promises backed by visible development and improved public services carry increasing weight with the electorate.
