22/04/2026
ANALYSIS: WHY PRESIDENT HICHILEMA RETAINING VP MUTALE NALUMANGO AS UPND VICE PRESIDENT MATTERS FOR THE PARTY AND THE NATION;
Lusaka | Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Following the UPND General Assembly held last week, President Hakainde Hichilema was nominated unopposed as the party’s presidential candidate for 2026. In the same process, Republican Vice President Mutale Nalumango has been retained as UPND Vice President, confirming continuity in the party’s top leadership going into the next election cycle.
The decision carries significant advantages both for the United Party for National Development as a political organisation, and for Zambia’s governance and development trajectory.
1. Advantages for the UPND as a Party
a) Stability and Institutional Memory:
The UPND is running internal elections from branch level to National Management Committee ahead of the 15 April 2026 General Assembly. Retaining VP Nalumango signals stability at the top while lower structures contest. It avoids a leadership vacuum and internal power struggles that often weaken parties before general elections. For a ruling party, unity of command is critical.
b) Gender Representation and Mobilisation:
VP Nalumango is Zambia’s second female Vice President and the most senior woman in government. Keeping her as party VP reinforces UPND’s commitment to the 30% women participation rule set out in its own election guidelines. This helps mobilise women voters and aspirants, especially as the party pushes back against violence against women in politics. Her presence counters the narrative that female leaders “have to work 3-5 times harder”.
c) Bridging Party and Government:
As both Republican Vice President and party Vice President, Nalumango provides a direct link between State House, Cabinet, and party structures. That reduces mixed messaging and ensures the party’s development agenda aligns with government delivery. She has already been vocal that “defections to UPND signal growing confidence in govt agenda”, a message that helps party recruitment.
d) Experience in Grassroots Politics:
Nalumango has been on the ground addressing citizens directly, from Mansa to Luapula, explaining CDF, free education, and disaster response. That grassroots experience is vital for a party heading into August 2026 elections. She understands provincial dynamics and can speak to ordinary Zambians without appearing detached.
2. Advantages for the Nation
a) Policy Continuity on Social Sector Priorities:
VP Nalumango has consistently articulated UPND’s human capital agenda: free education, re-entry policy, school feeding, reproductive health, and skills development. She also champions investments in adolescent girls, family planning, and women’s empowerment. Retaining her ensures these policies remain front-and-centre in Cabinet and in the 2026-2031 manifesto.
b) Non-Segregated Development Messaging:
She has publicly stated that “government will not segregate the distribution of development” and that “all constituencies are now receiving CDF, free education and many others”. As a national leader who engages Luapula, Eastern, and other provinces, she helps reassure regions that development is equitable. That is crucial for national unity.
c) Disaster Response and Compassionate Governance:
Zambia has faced floods and droughts. VP Nalumango has been dispatched to assess floods in Lunga, Kawambwa, Chienge, and Milenge, telling citizens “this government is on the ground assessing the impact and implementing relief efforts”. Continuity means affected communities keep a familiar, empathetic national figure coordinating relief.
d) Stability Signal to Investors and Cooperating Partners:
President Hichilema is pushing for “concrete deliverables” on energy and investment, moving from aid to commercial partnerships. Keeping his Vice President signals a stable, predictable executive team. International partners and investors read leadership changes closely; continuity reduces perceived political risk.
e) Strengthening Democratic Norms:
UPND’s process, where HH went unopposed after nominations closed, but elections were still held for NMC and lower organs, showing internal democracy with consensus at the top. Retaining an experienced Vice President while opening up other positions balances renewal with experience.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for 2026:
With the General Assembly concluding and nomination fees set from K100,000 for president down to K10 for branch positions, UPND is signalling it will “emerge stronger and more united”. Nalumango’s retention anchors that unity.
For Malambo, Eastern Province, and Zambia at large, it means the face explaining CDF, free education, and non-segregated development remains in place. For the party, it means a tested mobiliser and unifier stays at the helm alongside President Hichilema as they face an opposition that “has managed to reduce the number of its presidential figures from about 11 to 4”.
Retaining Vice President Mutale Nalumango is not just about loyalty. It’s a strategic choice for stability, gender inclusion, policy continuity, and national cohesion and assets that the UPND will need as it asks Zambians for a second mandate in August 2026.
Martin Chishimba Mwansa.
