Tribalism in Full Force Under Hakainde Hichilema’s UPND Administration

 

By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma

The rise of President Hakainde Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND) administration was met with high expectations for unity, economic recovery, and a fair governance system. However, instead of fostering national cohesion, the administration has entrenched tribal divisions, raising serious concerns about its commitment to an inclusive Zambia.

One of the most alarming aspects of this administration is its blatant and aggressive tribal favoritism. 

Appointments to key government positions, distribution of national resources, and access to justice have been overwhelmingly skewed in favor of individuals from the Southern, Western, and Northwestern provinces—regions considered strongholds of UPND support.

 Meanwhile, Zambians from other ethnic backgrounds, particularly Bembas and Easterners, are being systematically sidelined, persecuted, and unfairly targeted through government institutions such as the courts and the police.

 This is not just favoritism; it is a deliberate and calculated effort to marginalize entire ethnic groups.

Any attempt to expose this deeply entrenched tribalism is met with severe and aggressive retaliation.

 Critics are swiftly labeled as Patriotic Front (PF) sympathizers, as though opposition to tribalism is synonymous with supporting the previous government. This branding serves as a convenient tool to silence dissenting voices, instill fear, and suppress opposition, all of which threaten the very foundation of democracy. 

Even individuals from Hichilema’s own region who dare to criticize the evident tribal bias face accusations of hate speech, demonstrating the extreme lengths to which this administration will go to maintain its grip on power.

The case of academician Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa, who is currently based in South Africa, exemplifies this alarming trend. 

Dr. Sishuwa, a highly respected political commentator, has boldly highlighted the UPND’s weaponization of the justice system against Bembas and Easterners. 

His statement that “Hichilema is persecuting Bembas and Easterners using the courts and the police” has made him a target of the regime, and he now faces threats of arrest should he return to Zambia. 

This blatant abuse of power is a hallmark of dictatorship, where intellectual discourse and constructive criticism are criminalized.

Another glaring example of this authoritarian approach is the persecution of Hon. 

Raphael Nakachinda, the Secretary General of the Patriotic Front, who hails from Bweengwa—the same area as President Hichilema. 

When Nakachinda courageously spoke out against the rampant tribalism being practiced by the UPND government, party cadres did not just oppose him—they rose in full force, demanding his immediate arrest for so-called hate speech.

 This incident underscores the administration’s complete intolerance to any form of criticism, even from those within the same ethnic background as the president. Such actions reveal the deep-seated hypocrisy within the government’s approach and further illustrate how tribalism is being weaponized to silence dissenters and cement UPND’s rule.

A democratic government should welcome criticism as an essential component of good governance and national unity. 

By aggressively suppressing voices that challenge tribal favoritism, the UPND administration is fostering dangerous levels of division, resentment, and instability. 

If Hichilema and his government truly aspire to represent all Zambians, they must take immediate and drastic action to dismantle these deeply ingrained biases, ensure equal representation, and protect free speech.

Tribalism, if left unchecked, will not just divide Zambia—it will plunge the country into irreversible polarization and ethnic conflict.

 President Hakainde Hichilema must know that talking against tribalism is not wrong, but practicing it like he has been doing is what is wrong.