Also known as: President Hakainde Hichilema · Hichelema · Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema · President Hichilema · current president Hakainde Hichilema
Zambian president re-elected on 13 August 2026 with 2,965,326 votes, leading UPND party focused on development and job creation.
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The Namibian
Hakainde Hichilema is current President of Zambia
“He had led Zambia from 2015 until 2021, when he lost elections by a huge margin to current President Hakainde Hichilema.”
Family of Zambia's ex-President Lungu dismiss poisoning allegation – lawyersThe Namibian
Hakainde Hichilema defeated Edgar Lungu in the 2021 elections by a huge margin
“It follows a long-standing feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, who defeated him in the 2021 elections by a huge margin.”
Son of Zambia's ex-President Lungu ordered to surrender 79 cars, petrol station and ‘luxury' flatsThe Namibian
Hakainde Hichilema personally sponsored thousands of students from primary school through university
“Over the years, he has personally sponsored thousands of students from primary school through university.”
Free education becomes Zambia’s election battlegroundThe Namibian
President Hakainde Hichilema came under attack by stone throwers during a speech
“Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has come out fighting after a bruising month that saw him come under attack by stone throwers as he was trying to make a speech.”
Stone-hurling anger unnerves Zambia's ‘fix-it' presidentThe Namibian
President Hakainde Hichilema made a trip to Israel in June 2023
“the visit reciprocates president Hakainde Hichilema's June 2023 trip to Israel.”
Israeli president to visit ZambiaThe Namibian
President Hakainde Hichilema was the target of an alleged witchcraft murder plot by Leonard Phiri and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde
“A court in Zambia has sentenced two men to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema.”
Men jailed for witchcraft murder plot against Zambia's presidentThe Namibian
President Hakainde Hichilema promised to root out corruption when he swept to power four years ago
“President Hakainde Hichilema promised to root out corruption when he swept to power four years ago after defeating Lungu in elections.”
Former foreign minister sentenced to hard labour for corruption in ZambiaThe Namibian
Hakainde Hichilema will preside over state funeral on Sunday
“But a spokesperson for the Lungu family confirmed that an agreement had been reached with the government that allowed for Hichilema to preside over a state funeral next Sunday.”
Zambian ex-president's family settle funeral row with governmentThe Namibian
Hakainde Hichilema agreed on the importance of upgrading the shared border
“The two presidents also agreed on the importance of upgrading the shared border, including replacing ageing infrastructure.”
Namibia and Zambia to invest in facilitating easier tradeThe Namibian
Hakainde Hichilema posted on X platform tribute to Sam Nujoma describing him as freedom fighter, nationalist, pan-Africanist, and founding president of Namibia
“"Deeply saddened by the passing of Sam Nujoma – freedom fighter, nationalist, pan-Africanist, and founding president of Namibia," he posted on his X platform on Sunday.”
Zambia pays tribute to ‘nationalist’ NujomaNamibia's Independent Patriots for Change has congratulated Zambia's re-elected president Hakainde Hichilema while urging full transparency in election management and raising concerns over ballot secrecy and incomplete reconciliation at polling stations.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Independent Patriots for Change has congratulated Zambia's re-elected president Hakainde Hichilema while urging full transparency in election management and raising concerns over ballot secrecy and incomplete reconciliation at polling stations.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema secured reelection on 13 August with 2,965,326 votes against opponent Brian Mundubile's 1,856,218, calling for intensified efforts to deliver development across the country. Hichilema acknowledged opposition voters and his UPND party highlighted record parliamentary representation and priorities including job creation and improved livelihoods.
18 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The European Union Election Observation Mission said Zambia's general elections were largely well organised and transparent, but identified delays in opening polling stations, overcrowding at some stations, and continued barriers to participation for women and persons with disabilities.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Zambia's Electoral Commission suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide after reports of violence targeting election officials and theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes. The suspension, announced on Friday with immediate effect, will be reviewed within 24 hours.
14 August 2026 · Informanté →
Zambians voted with concerns over the economy, rising cost of living, and unemployment, with young people emerging as an important political force. President Hakainde Hichilema sought a second term against opposition candidate Brian Mundubile and other contenders, with about 8.7 million registered voters and largely peaceful polling.
14 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Zambia held elections on Thursday for president, parliament, and local government representatives. President Hakainde Hichilema campaigned in Mandevu, Lusaka province, on Wednesday, pledging continued investment in roads, schools, clinics and social services, and urging voters to support the ruling UPND.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah signed a book of condolences at the Zambian High Commission in Windhoek on behalf of Namibia, honouring former Zambian Vice President Dr Guy Scott and reaffirming the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
22 July 2026 · Informanté →
Zambia has signed contracts worth K4.9 billion (about N$4.3 billion) to rehabilitate the Livingstone-Sesheke Road, a strategic transport corridor linking the country to Namibia through the Trans Caprivi Corridor and Port of Walvis Bay. The project, now in the implementation stage with contractors mobilised to site, is expected to boost regional trade, tourism, and cross-border connectivity.
15 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Zambian government says it will not pursue further legal action following a South African Supreme Court of Appeal judgment in a dispute with former president Edgar Lungu's family over his burial. The government had disagreed with the ruling but will accept it, ending a legal dispute that began after negotiations between the government and Lungu's family collapsed and the family chose to bury him in South Africa rather than repatriate his remains to Zambia.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Botswana president Festus Gontebanye Mogae, aged 86, died in Gaborone over the weekend. Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and current Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko paid tribute to Mogae as a distinguished statesman and principled leader whose presidency strengthened regional cooperation through SADC.
11 May 2026 · New Era →
Zambia's government has taken possession of former president Edgar Lungu's body, who died in South Africa in June, overriding his family's wishes for a private burial. A South African court previously ruled the government could repatriate the body for a state funeral, and the family's appeal has now lapsed, though they dispute this and have sought an urgent high court order to return it to the funeral home.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Zambia's government has taken possession of the body of former president Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa 10 months ago, despite the family's wishes for a private burial. A South African court last August ruled the government could repatriate the body for a state funeral, and the family's appeal attempt has lapsed.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa last June, has dismissed allegations that he was poisoned, telling South African police the claims are "unfounded and unsupported by credible evidence." The denial comes as the family continues a legal battle with Zambia's government over whether Lungu should receive a state funeral at home or be buried privately in South Africa.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Zambia's High Court has ordered the forfeiture of assets worth more than $1.3 million from Dalitso Lungu, son of former President Edgar Lungu, including 79 vehicles and 23 pieces of property. The court ruled that Lungu and his company failed to provide credible explanation for how the assets were lawfully acquired, finding his employment history and income insufficient to account for the acquisitions.
11 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Zambia's government rolled out free primary and secondary education in 2022, driving enrolment of over 2.3 million additional learners and achieving a 70% Grade 12 pass rate—now the administration's flagship achievement as it enters August elections. Opposition parties acknowledge the policy's popularity but criticize overcrowded classrooms and implementation challenges, while the government frames growth as a positive consequence requiring continued infrastructure investment.
10 February 2026 · The Namibian →