“We want change!” chants greet Mundubile and Makebi as they enter UPND stronghold of North-Western Province

SOLWEZI, July 28, 2026 – National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRP-UP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu received a rousing welcome as they entered Solwezi on Tuesday afternoon to begin a five-day campaign tour of North-Western Province ahead of the August 13 General Election.

Supporters lined the streets of Solwezi, with dozens running and walking alongside the opposition convoy while chanting “We want change!” as the two leaders made their way through the provincial capital to the venue of the campaign rally.

The enthusiastic reception comes as the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance intensifies its nationwide campaign, with the Mundubile-Zulu ticket seeking to make inroads into North-Western Province, traditionally regarded as one of President Hakainde Hichilema’s and the UPND’s strongest electoral bases.

Previous election results have consistently given the ruling party commanding victories in the province, making it one of the key pillars of the UPND’s electoral support.

Since launching their presidential campaign, however, Mundubile and Makebi have drawn large crowds at rallies held across the Copperbelt, Central, Eastern, Muchinga, Northern, Luapula and Lusaka provinces, with the alliance expressing confidence that its message is resonating across the country.

The opposition leaders are expected to spend five days campaigning in North-Western Province before proceeding to the next phase of their national tour.

Ahead of the visit, Mundubile declared that he intended to compete vigorously for votes in the province, saying his proposed reforms for Zambia’s mining sector would transform the region’s economy.

“The province is now my stronghold because of the development programme we have for the mining sector,” Mundubile said before the tour.

He said an NRP-UP government would undertake major reforms aimed at ensuring that mining activities benefit local communities through increased employment, business opportunities and improved infrastructure.

Mundubile has repeatedly argued during his campaign that Zambia’s mineral wealth should translate into greater economic benefits for citizens living in mining areas.

He further claimed that North-Western Province had not realised its full development potential over the past five years despite hosting some of the country’s largest mining investments.

The campaign tour is expected to focus heavily on issues affecting the mining industry, youth employment, infrastructure development and economic opportunities in the province.

By press time, Mundubile’s convoy was still making its way to the main rally venue, where thousands of supporters had gathered awaiting the arrival of the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance leaders.