Kabwe Central independent parliamentary aspirant Don Mwenda has withdrawn his bid and declared his support for President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND, announcing the move after the President addressed residents at Comet Grounds in Kabwe.
Mwenda said he had returned to the party and would now campaign to secure victory for both Hichilema’s re-election and UPND’s Kabwe Central parliamentary aspirant, Chrizoster Phiri. His withdrawal removes one contender from a crowded Kabwe Central field as the constituency heads toward the August 13 general election.
Speaking at the same event, President Hichilema urged Kabwe residents to back UPND candidates across the board, arguing that a renewed mandate would allow his administration to continue delivering development projects nationally. The President has used similar messaging elsewhere in Central Province in recent days, framing a vote for UPND structures — not just the presidency — as necessary for continuity of the party’s development agenda. He has also directly discouraged UPND-aligned voters from supporting independent candidates in down-ballot races, telling supporters in other constituencies that backing an independent while claiming to support him “doesn’t make sense.”
Mwenda’s reversal follows a pattern seen in several constituencies this campaign season, where aspirants have stepped aside — citing unity or strategic considerations — to consolidate support behind either the ruling party or opposition alliances ahead of polling day.
Sources: The Zambian Observer — Don Mwenda withdraws independent bid
