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Friday, 21 August 2026
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Friday, 21 August 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Hakainde Hichilema

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.

2024-02-042026-08-21

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. August 2024
  2. The Namibian

    President Hakainde Hichilema described her death as a 'deep shock'

    Source

    President Hakainde Hichilema described her death as a "deep shock".

    Former Zambian president Mwanawasa's widow dies
  3. February 2024
  4. The Namibian

    Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema paid tribute to president Hage Geingob

    Source

    Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema has joined world leaders in paying tribute to president Hage Geingob.

    Hichilema mourns Geingob

Wednesday 19 August

  1. IPC calls for transparency in Zambian election results

    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

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Zambian president Hichilema wins reelection with development focus

    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

Monday 17 August

  1. EU observers note delays, overcrowding in Zambia election

    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

Friday 14 August

  1. Zambia suspends vote counting following election violence

    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

  2. Young voters shape Zambia's election amid economic concerns

    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

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Zambia holds elections as Hichilema campaigns for re-election

    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

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Namibian President pays tribute to late Zambian Vice President

    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

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Zambia invests K4.9 billion to upgrade key Namibia trade corridor

    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

Wednesday 24 June

  1. Zambia accepts South African court ruling on Lungu burial

    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

Monday 11 May

  1. Former Botswana president Festus Mogae dies at eighty-six

    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

Thursday 23 April

  1. Zambia government takes possession of ex-president Lungu's body

    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

  2. Zambia's government takes body of ex-president Lungu

    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

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Lungu family denies poisoning claims amid burial dispute

    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

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Zambian court orders seizure of assets from ex-president's son

    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

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Zambia's free education policy becomes election centerpiece

    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

Hakainde Hichilema — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute