Unite to dislodge UPND – Thandiwe

…urges Zambians and political parties to unite and vote out UPND in 2026 because if Zambia’s opposition remaind fragmented, the consequences would be catastrophic, not only for political parties but for every Zambian who dreams of a better future.

By NATION REPORTER

THANDIWE Ngoma, an activist and a Zambian based in Slovenia has urged the opposition political parties to unite and ensure that UPND was voted out of power in 2026 because the party was a threat to democracy and national cohesion.
Ms Ngoma said in an open letter that only a united opposition front could unseat UPND which she described as a ruthless government.
She said despite not belonging to any political party, she was a patriotic Zambian who loved the country deeply.
Ms Ngoma said Zambia, once a shining beacon of peace, democracy, and unity in Africa, was under siege.
“Today, these cherished values are at risk as we witness the erosion of democratic principles, the suppression of dissent, and the rise of authoritarian governance under the UPND administration,” she said.
Ms Ngoma said the call for a united opposition is not just a political necessity—it is a matter of national survival.
She said the only way to confront the creeping authoritarianism of the UPND government and restore the democracy people deserved was by building a strong, unified front.
Ms Ngoma said there was a dire threat to the country’s democracy and UPND government had shown a ruthless determination to tighten its grip on power, using every tool at its disposal to crush dissent, weaken opposition parties, and manipulate public opinion.
She said such actions were not the hallmarks of a democratic administration but of a regime that feared the will of its people.
“Under the UPND, state security forces have been used as instruments of intimidation and suppression.
Independent media outlets are under siege, civil society is silenced, and opposition leaders are vilified or targeted. The judiciary and other state institutions, meant to uphold justice and fairness, have been weaponized to serve partisan interests,” Ms Ngoma said.

She said the UPND government feared accountability because it knows its actions could withstand scrutiny but as history showed, no government could suppress the voice of the people forever.

“If Zambia’s opposition remains fragmented, the consequences will be catastrophic – not only for political parties but for every Zambian who dreams of a better future,” Ms Ngoma said.

She said disunity among opposition parties confused voters, diminished morale, and left ordinary Zambians feeling abandoned and worse still, it embolded those in power, who thrive on the chaos and discord within their challengers’ ranks.

“As a patriotic Zambian, I call on opposition leaders to see the bigger picture. This is not the time for petty rivalries or personal ambitions. This is about Zambia—our Zambia—and the future of our children. The cost of disunity is too high, and history will not forgive us if we fail to act,” Ms Ngoma said.