United Party for National Development

The United Party for National Development (UPND) is a liberal political party in Zambia, led by Hakainde Hichilema. The party is an observer member of the Africa Liberal Network.[1]

United Party for National Development
President	Hakainde Hichilema
Secretary-General	Steven Katuka
Founded	1998
Ideology	Liberalism Social liberalism
Political position	Centre
Continental affiliation	Africa Liberal Network
National Assembly	58 / 166
Website
http://upndzambia.org/
Politics of Zambia Political parties Elections

History

The UPND was established in December 1998 and was initially led by Anderson Mazoka, who had left the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) shortly beforehand.[2] Mazoka was the party's presidential candidate for the 2001 general elections, finishing second with 27% of the vote, less than 2% behind the winner Levy Mwanawasa of the MMD. In the National Assembly elections the UPND won 49 seats, becoming the second largest party after the MMD.

In March 2006 the party joined the United Democratic Alliance, formed by the three largest opposition parties to contest that year's general elections. After the death of Mazoka in May 2006, Hakainde Hichilema became party leader, and was the alliance's presidential candidate. However, he finished third behind Mwanawasa and Michael Sata with 25% of the vote. The UDA won only 26 seats in the National Assembly, down from the 74 the three parties had won in 2001.

Hichilema was the UPND candidate for the 2008 presidential by-election, finishing third with 20% of the vote. He finished third again in the 2011 general elections with 18% of the vote, whilst the UPND won 28 seats in the National Assembly, becoming the third-largest party.

Hichilema was selected as the party's candidate for the 2015 presidential by-election. Hichilema become the main opponent to the Patriotic Front candidate Edgar Lungu after receiving the backing of several MMD MPs. Although Hichilema received 47% of the vote, Lungu was elected with 48%.

Youth Representation

The UPND has a youth league, the UPND Youth League formed to mobilize youth concerns. It represents young people from across Zambia. The party has signed a social contract with the youths making it the first political party in Africa to have a youthful agenda.[3]

Electoral history

Presidential elections

Election	Party candidate	Votes	%	Result
2001	Anderson Mazoka	472,697	27.20%	Lost N
2006	Hakainde Hichilema	693,772	25.32%	Lost N
2008		353,018	19.70%	Lost N
2011		506,763	18.17%	Lost N
2015		780,168	46.67%	Lost N
2016		1,760,347	47.63%	Lost N

National Assembly elections

Election	Party leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Government
2001	Anderson Mazoka	416,236	23.77%	49 / 159	49	2nd	Opposition
2006	Hakainde Hichilema	610,608 as part of UDA	22.51%	26 / 159	48	3rd	Opposition
2011		464,527	17.21%	28 / 159	2	3rd	Opposition
2016		1,525,049	41.66%	58 / 156	30	2nd	Opposition

References

1. "ALN Member Parties". Africa Liberal Network.
2. Tom Lansford (2014) Political Handbook of the World 2014, CQ Press, p1615
3. https://flavafm.co.zm/2019/06/10/upnd-youths-in-kitwe-challenge-government-on-disbursement-of-youth-empowerment-funds/ UPND youths in Kitwe challenge government on disbursement of Youth Empowerment Funds – Flava FM 87.7 Copperbelt | 96.9 Lusaka | 92.1 Solwezi

Further reading

• "Arrest of UPND party leader in Zambia prompts exceptional ALN concern". Liberal International. 20 October 2016.