UPND is not unpopular - Hichilema

..says the governing party has become a national movement, having won the last 14 by-elections with landslide, advises that the renewed mandate is a privilege that should not be taken for granted‎By MUBITA KATETE‎PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has dismissed claims that the United Party for National Development (UPND) is an unpopular political formation, arguing that the ruling party's landslide victory in 14 by-elections is evidence of its continued growing support as a national movement.‎"People on TikTok should not say UPND is not popular. As you can see, we won all 14 by-elections. So how are we unpopular?" President Hichilema said.‎Mr Hichilema has thanked the people of Southern Province and Zambians at large for giving his administration a second term, describing the renewed mandate as a privilege that should not be taken for granted.‎Addressing a rally in Choma yesterday, President Hichilema reaffirmed government's commitment to improving citizens' lives, pointing to the Free Education Policy, which has since been enacted into law, and the increase in Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations from K1.6 million to K40 million as key interventions.‎The President further urged parents to ensure that their children are enrolled in school so they can benefit from the Free Education Policy.‎And President Hichilema has warned teachers who refuse rural postings and nurses who neglect their duties in favour of social media that they risk losing their jobs, saying government will not tolerate inefficiency in the public service.‎President Hichilema said teachers employed by government must be prepared to serve in any part of the country where their services are needed, particularly in underserved rural communities.‎"All those who refuse to take up rural postings risk losing their jobs. Government is prepared to replace them with teachers who are willing to work in such areas," he warned.‎The President also cautioned nurses against spending working hours on TikTok instead of attending to patients, saying healthcare workers must prioritise their responsibilities.‎"All you nurses who just go to the hospital to be on TikTok, you were not employed to watch TikTok. While the patient is crying, you are busy on TikTok. We will remove you," Mr Hichilema said.‎Meanwhile, President Hichilema has pledged to construct a university in Choma, announcing that construction is expected to commence within the next two months.‎"Choma, we will build you a university. Despite other districts also fighting for it, we are starting to build it two months from now," he said.

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