UPND from 1998 up to now; Realizing the critical importance of Democratic governance, accountability and transparency as a pre-condition for any meaningful economic development it became necessary to form a Party bearing this vision. Therefore, on August 1997 Mr. Anderson Mazoka decided to take up the challenge and a task force was immediately assembled with the following members... The new Party was named the United Party for National Development (UPND) was eventually registered on 26th November, 1998. It was officially launched during a press conference held on 24th December, 1998 at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre where the following members were appointed: A History of the United Party for National Development Some of you were young when this Political Party was birthed, we thought as a way of paying tribute to the unsung heroes of this powerful political should be revisited. Enjoy this rare Peace of publication and we credit Mr Choongo for this article. Introduction 1. On 4th December 1990, the then ruling United Independence Party (UNIP) Government reintroduced political pluralism in Zambia. This ushered in several political parties including the now Movement for multi party democracy (MMD). In its election campaign, the MMD promised Zambians a number of sweeping changes that would among others see the improvement of the declining economy. 2. However, in eight (8) years of MMD rule, the country witnessed a decline in food security, education standards, health conditions human rights, press freedom and human rights. Democracy merely preached but not practiced. Some opposition leaders have were detained for no real reasons while others fled the country. Corruption and poverty was common feature in Zambia. Objective criticism within the MMD was being suppressed. Critics were often threatened with expulsion resulting in many founding members leaving the Party in frustration. 3. Realizing the critical importance of Democratic governance, accountability and transparency as a pre-condition for any meaningful economic development it became necessary to form a Party bearing this vision. Therefore, on August 1997 Mr. Anderson Mazoka decided to take up the challenge and a task force was immediately assembled with the following members:- i. Charles Munansangu - National Chairman- late ii. Olivet Malungisa -Chairman Economic & Finance iii. Kelvin Ndilla -Chairman Research & Security iv. Temba Muleya -Chairman Campaign & Publicity v. Justin Mweene -Chairman International Relations vi. Buxton Maambo -Chairman Transport & Commun. vii A K Hamudulu -Chairman Legal & Constitutional viii Loveness Malambo -Chairperson Women Affairs ix Milden Choongo -Member(Transport committee) x. Cassiano Nzala -Member xi. Mwangalala Ngalande -Member xii. Jarvis Michelo -Member- late xiii.Patrick Mweemba -Member- late xiv. Amos Nakalonga -Member xv. Mweene Hamazila -Member-Late xvi.Gladys Mwala -Member xvii.Paul Mwiinga -Member- late xviii James Hanzala -Member- late 4. Among other things, the members formulated was the name of the Party, drafted and wrote Constitution, Manifesto, party symbol and identified persons for nomination to the National Management Committee (NMC). However, history cannot be complete without mentioning the members who were selected from the main committee to register and eventually invite Mr. Mazoka to lead the Party:- 1. Justin Mweene Chairman 2. Andrew L Shamba Vice Chairman 3. Greyson Ndlovu Secretary 4. Patrick Mweemba Vice Secretary- late 5. Maxwell Lufungulwa Treasurer 6. Patrick Banda Trustee 7. Mathias K Muwanei Committee member 8. Lawrence Muyunda Committee member. – late 5. The new Party was named the United Party for National Development (UPND) was eventually registered on 26th November, 1998. It was officially launched during a press conference held on 24th December, 1998 at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre where the following members were appointed:- Mr. Anderson Kambela Mazoka - President Former MD Zambia Railways, Boart Zambia, Anglo American Corporation, Director in 18 Anglo Companies and now a Businessman. Dr. John Mulwila - Vice President Former Lecturer at the University of Zambia (UNZA), former MMD MP, ex NP founder member and is now an advocate with Ituna & Partners. Mr. Standwell Mapara - National Chairman Former Permanent Secretary, Former MD Tanzania Zambia Railways, Former Ambassador to Germany, Former Administrative Secretary with The National Party (NP). Now a Farmer. Ambrose Lufuma - Vice National Chairman A businessperson and is National Chairman of the Likumbi Lya Mize Cultural Group of the Luvale people Olivet Malungisa - National Treasurer A career Banker who served Zambia National Commercial Bank for a long Time and now credit Manager at Investrust Merchant Bank Emmanuel Kasanga - Vice National Treasurer An Economist and currently a Secondary School Teacher in Solwezi. Dr. Gilbert Mudenda - Chairman Economic & Finance Former Senior lecturer at UNZA and now a Researcher And Consultant. Dr. Sipula Kabanje - Chairman International Relations Ext Director at the Party Control Commission, Ex Secretary to the Constitutional review Commission Of 1995, Ex- Director at the Zambia Development Law commission. Love Mtesa - Vice International Relations Former Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Career Diplomat who last served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Dr. Francis Manda - Chairman Health & Nutrition. A Medical Doctor Gerald Muti -Chairman Transport & Communication An engineer, former MD Zambia Telecommunications and now A Business person Sakwiba Sikota -Chairman Legal & A leading Zambian Lawyer who Constitutional Affairs Runs Central Chambers. Humphrey Zimba -Chairman Education & An Educationist who is a former Technology Principal at the National College For Management & Development Studies. Tiens Kahenya -Chairman Environment Former banker in foreign operations Natural Resources & Tourism. At Bank of Zambia, Former Accountant At British Caledonian Airways, Former Director of Human Resources and Director of Disaster Management at world Vision International, Former General Manager at Lupenga Airways Charters and now is now in private business Covering aviation, International trading, gaming and wagering And business Consultant. Mrs Vinas Kalimina - National Chairperson, Women Former Legal Secretary, Administrator Affairs and now businessperson. Dr. Patrick Chikusu (late) - Chairman Appointments and discipline Pharmacist, Former deputy Permanent Secretary at Cabinet office, former MD Medical Stores, Former General Manager General Pharmaceuticals ltd Registrar of pharmacy and poisons Board Member UTH Board, Member special Committee of appointments and Discipline at UTH, Member of the Association, medicine & Research, Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, Vice Chairman Medical Council of Zambia, and Now Lecturer At the School of medicine, UNZA Mrs. Alice Mukuka Mwanza -Vice Chairperson Information & A Journalist, former Public Relations Publicity Manager at UBZ and Former MMD Women Chairperson. Alinah Nyikosa - National Trustee Former UNIP Central Committee Member, former Minister of Health, Former Central Province Minister UPND Councillor in Solwezi And now Businessperson Setty Chitukutuku - National Trustee Former National Party Founder Member, and now Business man Mr. Mazoka’s Presidential Campaigns 6. Initially, Mr. Mazoka intended to pursue his Presidential ambitions within the MMD. He first contested for the position of Treasurer in Luangwa Brach elections in Lusaka Central Constituency and ultimately won. Later, he contested the same position at the Constituency level and won but the MMD National Executive Committee nullified the election results without any reasons. During the course of events, his vehicle used in the campaign was impounded by State House agents on the instructions of the Republican President, Mr. Frederick Chiluba. 7. At an MMD rally in Kitwe, Mr. Chiluba questioned the motive behind Managing Directors participating in Party elections at Branch level. It was later established that the MMD National Secretary, Mr. Michael Sata had warned Mr. Chiluba of Mr. Mazoka’s Presidential ambitions. Later MMD officials were warned and directed to distance themselves from Mr. Mazoka and secret plans were made to expel him from the Party. Fortunately this was pre empted as Mr. Mazoka resigned in June 1998. A synopsis of the UPND vision. 1. The UPND is a strong and vibrant independent party and intends to remain so. 2. It believes in Parliamentary democracy. 3. It believes in plural politics free from press subjugation, intimidation in which all races can participate without fear or favour. 4. It believes in fully respecting, observing and honouring traditional powers of chiefs and authorities and will assist in extending such powers where possible. 5. It does not believe in rigged elections or corruption. 6. The UPND will encourage private enterprise and resist any attempts to nationalize industries. 7. The UPND will provide assistance to the industry in form of development loans and tax rebates will impose heavy duty on all imported cheap items which are subsidized by their countries of origin especially agro-industry. 8. UPND will ensure that public money is not wasted by keeping firm control on public expenditure. 9. UPND will improve communications and transport system to remote areas. 10. UPND will ensure that the electoral system is revised which will allow the use of National Registration Cards as a principal document for voting. Party policies:- Housing UPND shall ensure that it provides adequate and affordable housing for urban areas and also promote a vigorous housing development programme. Education Education shall be free and compulsory for all up to grade twelve(12) and the quality of education will be standardized and regulated by Law. Tourism UPND intends to invite both local and foreign organizations to invest into vast tourism potential ventures in the country. Security UPND will ensure a crime free and safe neighbourhood by investigating the root causes of crimes, equip the law enforcement officers and ensure there is a strict adherence to the rule of Law. Health and Nutrition UPND will promote health care for all Zambians and residents and promote affordable healthy food for all the families. Judiciary UPND will ensure that Judiciary is fully independent. Parliament A UPND government will ensure that Parliament shall remain and independent pillar of the state. Trade Unions A UPND government will endeavour that Trade Unions are strong and independent of the government of the day. Civil Service On Civil Servants, it is UPND policy to encourage job security training to enhance public efficiency and tenure. Agriculture The UPND government will encourage the growing of cash crops to provide a better income fro farmers, good marketing strategies, crop storage capacity and incentives for farmers fro inputs such as fertilizers and seeds. Livestock UPND intends to setup a separate Ministry to focus on livestock development with the objective of providing:- a. Quality animal husbandry b. Wiping out corridor and other diseases, and c. Entry to export market. Drug and public corruption. UPND will abhor all forms of drug trafficking and corruption in public offices. Foreign Policy A UPND government will endeavour to practice good neighbourliness with neighbouring countries and maintain Embassies which are economically viable. Democratic Beliefs Finally the UPND believes in the following pillars of democracy:- a. Sovereignty of the people b. Government based upon consent of the governed. c. Majority rule d. Freedom of speech, expression and of the press e. Freedom of assembly and association f. Protection of the minority rights g. Guarantee of basic human rights h. Free and fair elections i. Equality before Law j. Due process of Law k. Constitutional limits on governments l. Social, economic and political pluralism, and m. Values of tolerance, pragmatism cooperation and compromise. Successes scored by the UPND In its brief history, the UPND managed to have a total of twenty-eight (28) Councillors in various parts of the country. This is an achievement considering that the 1998 Local Government elections were held on 30th December, 1998 six (6) days after the official launch on 24 December, 1998. Additionally, there is a positive response from most members of the public on the advent of the UPND. The public believes that the UPND is a viable alternative to the ruling MMD adding that its leader, Mazoka has had a successful history in management Thursday, April 15, 1999. (authors: Buxton Maambo & Casiano Nzala) TEAM HH2016 Mwila Mwila C take note of this history u may not have known.
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