Story perspectives

Zambians Vote to Decide Hichilema’s Second Term

8/13/2026

Summary

Hichilema Re-election

Zambian voters cast ballots on August 13, 2026 to decide whether President Hakainde Hichilema secures a second term.
His chief challenger, former minister Brian Mundubile, promises lower living costs and restored freedoms, while the vote is seen as a referendum on Hichilema’s debt-restructuring and 6.8 percent inflation.
A winner must exceed 50 percent of votes, otherwise a runoff will be held within 37 days and results are due by August 17.

Summary

Defence-Security Team Raids

The joint Defence-Security Investigations Team executed a raid that arrested suspects linked to a scheme to disrupt Zambia’s election.
Kenyan Michael Njuka, 56, was detained in Lusaka on state-targeted cybercrime accusations while three former senior officials were seized with over K7.3 million in cash, source unclear.
Amnesty International warned that charging journalist MacPherson Mukuka under the Cyber Crimes Act could chill reporting, prompting Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo to call for calm.

History

Historical Context

Zambia’s shift from one-party rule began when the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy defeated Kenneth Kaunda in the 31 October 1991 election, with Frederick Chiluba receiving about 76 % of the presidential vote and the MMD taking 125 of 150 parliamentary seats. The peaceful transfers that followed set a precedent for the 2026 contest between Hakainde Hichilema and Brian Mundubile.

1 of 3

Hichilema Re-election

Zambian voters cast ballots on August 13, 2026 to decide whether President Hakainde Hichilema secures a second term.
His chief challenger, former minister Brian Mundubile, promises lower living costs and restored freedoms, while the vote is seen as a referendum on Hichilema’s debt-restructuring and 6.8 percent inflation.
A winner must exceed 50 percent of votes, otherwise a runoff will be held within 37 days and results are due by August 17.

1 / 3