“The UPND has opened its doors to everyone to join the party, regardless of the positions they previously held. What happened is part of our nationwide mobilisation to welcome new members, but Antony Mumba has not come to unseat me,” says Dr Mukwenya Ngandu.
Article by Jotham Kayomo Likomeno,
This year, visits by President Hakainde Hichilema to various parts of the country have often been marked by defections to the UPND and public endorsements of his leadership.
Mufulira was no exception. The area witnessed councillors defecting from opposition political parties, a local business figure pledging two herds of cattle to the President and the UPND, and members of the clergy engaging with President Hichilema.
However, these activities were overshadowed by a brief but significant moment in which the incumbent Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament for Kantashi Constituency, Dr Antony Mumba, defected to the ruling UPND and pledged his support for the President.
Beyond the cheers that followed, questions quickly emerged over whether Dr Mumba would seek adoption to recontest the seat under the UPND ticket. Many also wondered what this would mean for those who have long stood with the party in the constituency, including those who had previously attempted to secure adoption.
Mafken News spoke to UPND aspiring Member of Parliament for Kantashi Constituency, Dr Mukwenya Ngandu, to address these concerns.
Dr. Ngandu explained that Dr Mumba’s move should be seen as support for the party’s agenda rather than a bid to displace him as the preferred candidate.
“Our role is to mobilise and bring people into the party. But that does not mean that when people join, they automatically take up positions,” he said.
He further noted that he was moved from Kabwe, where he previously served as a councillor, to Mufulira to contest in the 2021 general elections, where he lost to Dr Mumba.
“I lost to Dr. Antony Mumba in 2021, and since then I have continued mobilising for the party, particularly in Kantashi Constituency, to where it is now,” he said.
Dr. Ngandu added that the growth in party support is a result of sustained personal effort, including sponsoring radio programmes and undertaking various mobilisation activities using his own resources.
“Now we have built the numbers, and we are glad that more people are joining. That is a result of the work that has been done on the ground,” he added.
He emphasised that party adoption is based on one’s track record, stating that his work is visible and can be assessed by the party leadership.
“I have mobilised extensively, and even many who previously supported Dr Antony Mumba are now part of the UPND. That is why he did not come with supporters; they had already joined through our efforts,” he said.
Dr. Ngandu maintained that he is neither threatened nor intimidated by Dr Mumba’s defection, stressing that he has already filed his nomination and remains focused on securing adoption as the party’s candidate for Kantanshi Constituency.
