MUBITA KATETE
UNITED Kwacha Alliance (UKA) chairperson Sakwiba Sikota has dismissed claims by National Democratic Congress leader Saboi Imboela suggesting that he is responsible for the collapse of the alliance.
Mr. Sikota has reiterated that UKA remains active and is playing a key role in ongoing efforts to form a broader opposition coalition.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Sikota accused Ms. Imboela of panicking unnecessarily, stressing that UKA is still a force to reckon with in the political arena.
“UKA is very much there and it’s a big player in what is currently happening among the progressive opposition parties,” he said. “Madam Imboela should not be like Chicken Liken saying ‘the sky is falling, the sky is falling.’ The sky is not falling.”
He said Ms. Imboela seems unable to chart her own political path without the presence of former UKA member, Harry Kalaba.
“It seems that without Harry Kalaba, she believes she has no political future. She should have more confidence in herself and avoid unnecessary panic,” Mr Sikota said.
Highlighting the resilience of political alliances, Mr Sikota pointed out that even after several parties left the UPND Alliance in the past, the UPND still survived, a pattern, he said should serve as perspective for current developments.
“Many parties have left UPND before, but the UPND is still standing. Just because people leave doesn’t mean the alliance dies,” he said.
Mr. Sikota emphasised that the focus of the opposition remains on forming a united front rather than elevating any single individual as a political saviour.
“We do not believe there is one messiah. Leadership must be about collective effort, not individual ambition,” he said.
He assured the public that ongoing discussions among various political parties including UKA, Zambia We Want, UNIP, and others are grounded in shared purpose and unity.
“What matters is not who we are individually but what we can achieve together. That is where our strength lies,” he said.
“We are committed to agreeing on a single presidential candidate. If we had already chosen someone now, like saying ‘UKA has chosen Mr Sikota as flagbearer,’ what message would that send to our colleagues? That would show selfishness and sabotage the talks.”
Mr. Sikota urged opposition leaders to remain focused on the needs of the Zambians.
“Our strength lies in working together for a common goal. That’s what gives people hope and confidence and that’s what we are committed to delivering,” he said.
