By SIMON MUNTEMBA
UPND should stop being a cry baby party all the time but endeavour to advance politics of national character if they want to be taken seriously by the national broadcaster, former Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has said.
Mr Kampyongo who is also ruling Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee said UPND leaders should not expect to be regularly featured by any responsible media organisation when their agenda is to preach hatred and dent the image of the country.
He was reacting to a complaint by UPND General Batuke Imenda that despite being the largest opposition political party in the country, his party has been blacklisted by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
Mr Imenda claimed that the ZNBC only covers the UPND president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema in bad light.
In an interview, Mr Kampyongo said complaints by the UPND against ZNBC were baseless because despite the opposition party being irresponsible in its way of disseminating information, the national broadcaster has fairly offered them space.
He advised the UPND leadership to stop focusing on hate speech, and concentrate on developing the nation.
“Let them not be crybabies but engage institutions of government. Their message should be that of national character and not that which seek to divide the nation and dent the country’s reputation,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He also said the UPND should stop playing double standards by demanding for more coverage by the ZNBC but when invited they turn down the invitation.
Mr Kampyongo recalled that it was not long ago that UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema, turned down an arranged ZNBC Sunday Interview programme.
Meanwhile, Mr Kampyongo has described late first Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda as a selfless and gallant leader whose death was a huge blow to Zambia and Africa as a continent.
