MUNDUBILE, ZULU PLEDGE TO UNLOCK LUAPULA’S ECONOMY WITH ROADS
….Promise to upgrade Mansa-Kashikishi and Nchelenge-Chiengi roads
Nchelenge- Friday, 10 July 2026.
NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu have unveiled an ambitious plan to transform Luapula Province into a regional economic powerhouse, promising to rehabilitate strategic roads, revive agriculture and fisheries, unlock the province’s mineral wealth, create jobs and improve electricity supply once elected.
Addressing a rally in Nchelenge, Mr. Mundubile said Luapula possessed enormous economic potential but had remained underdeveloped because of poor infrastructure, high unemployment and what he described as failed economic policies under the UPND government.
He said an NRPUP administration would prioritise investment in key economic roads, including the Mansa-Kashikishi Road and the Nchelenge-Chiengi Road, arguing that improved transport infrastructure was essential to unlocking trade, tourism, fisheries and cross-border commerce with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr. Mundubile said better roads would also improve access to schools, health facilities, border trading centres and other essential public services while stimulating economic growth across the province.
Recognising that fishing remains the backbone of Luapula’s economy, Mr. Mundubile said his government would rehabilitate feeder roads linking fishing camps and farming communities to major markets in order to reduce transport costs, minimise post-harvest losses and increase household incomes.
Turning to mining, Mr. Mundubile pledged to empower local youths through a regulated artisanal mining programme instead of treating them as criminals.
“We shall provide our young people with equipment, proper training and safer mining methods so that they can earn a decent living while protecting their lives,” he said.
He also announced that artisanal mining licences would be processed within districts instead of requiring applicants to travel to Lusaka, saying the move would reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and expand opportunities for local communities.
Mr. Mundubile further pledged that Luapula’s rich sugilite deposits would benefit the people of the province rather than a privileged few.
He said an NRPUP government would remove military personnel currently guarding the mining area and replace what he described as a security-driven approach with a regulated mining system that would enable local youths to participate legally and safely in mining activities.
“We shall remove the military from the mine and empower our young people with licences, equipment and proper training so that they can mine legally, safely and earn a decent living,” Mr. Mundubile said.
He explained that responsible artisanal mining, backed by proper regulation, training and safety standards, would create employment while ensuring local communities directly benefited from Luapula’s mineral resources.
On agriculture, Mr. Mundubile promised that every beneficiary farmer would receive the full allocation of eight bags of fertiliser, ending what he described as the practice of farmers sharing inputs in small quantities, commonly known as “medas.”
He further pledged that farmers supplying maize and other crops to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) would receive prompt payment.
Mr. Mundubile said industrialisation through value addition, agro-processing, fisheries, mining and manufacturing would form the backbone of his government’s economic agenda and create thousands of jobs, particularly for young people
Addressing the same rally, NRPUP vice-presidential candidate Makebi Zulu said Luapula deserved leadership that would harness its abundant natural resources for the benefit of local communities instead of leaving residents trapped in poverty despite the province’s vast economic potential.
Mr. Zulu accused the UPND of having won the 2021 general election through what he described as deception, arguing that the ruling party had failed to fulfil the campaign promises that persuaded many Zambians to vote for it.
He said promises of K50 mealie meal, K250 fertiliser and improved support for farmers had not materialised, alleging that instead of receiving full allocations of farming inputs, many beneficiaries were now being forced to share fertiliser in small quantities, popularly known as “medas.”
“You were promised K50 mealie meal and K250 fertiliser, but those promises have not been fulfilled. Instead of giving farmers the full allocation they deserve, they are now being told to share fertiliser in medas. That is not what the Zambian people voted for,” Mr. Zulu said.
He said the alliance would pursue policies aimed at creating employment, supporting farmers and fishermen, improving infrastructure, restoring professionalism in public institutions and ensuring that development reached every district.
Mr. Zulu also reminded the crowd that although his name would not appear on the presidential ballot paper, a vote for Brian Mundubile would equally be a vote for him and for the programme they were jointly presenting to the Zambian people.
“My name will not be on the ballot paper, but when you vote for Brian Mundubile, you are voting for me and for the programme we have brought before the people. We stand together and we shall govern together,” Mr. Zulu said.
