View source for United Party for National Development

{{short description|Political party in Zambia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox political party
| name             = United Party for National Development
| logo             = Logo of the United Party for National Development.svg
| abbreviation     = UPND
| president        = [[Hakainde Hichilema]]
| chairperson      = Collins Maoma
| secretary_general = Batuke Imenda
| governing_body   = [[National Management Committee of the United Party for National Development|National Management Committee]]
| spokesperson     = [[Cornelius Mweetwa]]
| leader1_title    = Vice President
| leader1_name     = [[Mutale Nalumango]]
| leader3_title    = Deputy Secretary-General
| leader3_name     = Getrude Imenda
| leader4_title    = National Treasurer
| leader4_name     = Watson Lumba
| founder          = Anderson Mazoka
| split            = [[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy|MMD]]
| founded          = {{Start date|1998|12||df=yes}}
| youth_wing       = [[UPND Youth League]]
| membership_year  = 2024
| membership       = {{increase}} 250,000
| ideology         = {{nowrap|[[Liberalism]]<br>[[Agrarianism]]}}
| position         = [[Centre-right]]<ref name="Ideology" />
| national         = [[UPND Alliance]]
| affiliation1_title = Continental affiliation
| affiliation1     = [[Africa Liberal Network]]
| seats1_title     = [[National Assembly (Zambia)|National Assembly]]
| seats1           = {{Composition bar|88|156|hex={{party color|United Party for National Development}}}}
| seats2_title     = [[Pan-African Parliament]]
| seats2           = {{Composition bar|2|5|hex={{party color|United Party for National Development}}}}<small>(Zambian seats)</small>
| website          = [http://upndzambia.org/ upndzambia.org]
| colorcode        = {{party color|United Party for National Development}}
| slogan           = Zambia Forward
| colours          = {{color box|{{party color|United Party for National Development}}|border=darkgray}} [[Red]]<br>{{color box|#F5E727|border=darkgray}} [[Yellow]]
| country          = Zambia
}}
{{Hakainde Hichilema sidebar}}

The '''United Party for National Development''' ('''UPND''') is a [[political party]] in [[Zambia]], founded in December 1998 by [[Anderson Mazoka]], a former executive of the [[Anglo American plc|Anglo American Corporation]]. The party emerged as a significant opposition force following a split from the [[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy]] (MMD). The UPND positions itself as a centrist party with strong ideological commitments to social and economic liberalism, advocating for policies that support free-market principles, human rights, and democratic governance. The party receives its highest support from rural regions of the country.<ref name="Ideology">{{Cite journal |last=Hallink |first=Courtney |last2=Siachiwena |first2=Hangala |date=September 2023 |title=Political party ideology in Zambia: comparing the PF and the UPND on social welfare policies |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-modern-african-studies/article/political-party-ideology-in-zambia-comparing-the-pf-and-the-upnd-on-social-welfare-policies/0C301583A66BABB742E674037B940F64 |journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies |language=en |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=323–342 |doi=10.1017/S0022278X23000058 |issn=0022-278X|doi-access=free }}</ref>

The UPND rose to national prominence under the leadership of [[Anderson Mazoka]] and his protege, [[Hakainde Hichilema]], a businessman who assumed the party's presidency after Mazoka's death in 2006. Under Hichilema's leadership, the party continued to be a major force in Zambian politics, contesting multiple elections before finally winning the presidency decisively in the [[2021 Zambian general election|2021 elections]].

The UPND is also a member of the [[Africa Liberal Network]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africaliberalnetwork.org/member-parties/|title=ALN Member Parties|agency=Africa Liberal Network|access-date=25 March 2017|archive-date=26 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026203838/http://www.africaliberalnetwork.org/member-parties/|url-status=dead}}</ref> aligning itself with other liberal parties across the continent.

==History==
The UPND was established in December 1998 and was initially led by [[Anderson Mazoka]], who had left the [[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy]] (MMD) shortly before that.<ref>Tom Lansford (2014) ''Political Handbook of the World 2014'', CQ Press, p1615</ref> Mazoka was the party's presidential candidate for the [[2001 Zambian general election|2001 general elections]], finishing second with 27% of the vote, less than 2% behind the winner [[Levy Mwanawasa]] of the MMD. In the [[National Assembly (Zambia)|National Assembly]] elections the UPND won 49 seats, becoming the second largest party after the MMD.

In March 2006, the party joined the [[United Democratic Alliance (Zambia)|United Democratic Alliance]], formed by the three largest opposition parties to contest that year's [[2006 Zambian general election|general elections]]. After the death of Mazoka in May 2006, Hakainde Hichilema became party leader, and was the alliance's presidential candidate. However, he finished third behind Mwanawasa and [[Michael Sata]] with 25% of the vote. The UDA won only 26 seats in the National Assembly, down from the 74 the three parties had won in 2001.

Hichilema was the UPND candidate for the [[Zambian presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential by-election]], finishing third with 20% of the vote. He finished third again in the [[2011 Zambian general election|2011 general election]] with 18% of the vote, whilst the UPND won 28 seats in the National Assembly, becoming the third-largest party.

Hichilema was selected as the party's candidate for the [[Zambian presidential election, 2015|2015 presidential by-election]]. Hichilema became the main opponent to the [[Patriotic Front (Zambia)|Patriotic Front]] (PF) candidate [[Edgar Lungu]] after receiving the backing of several MMD MPs. Although Hichilema received 47% of the vote, Lungu was elected with 48% of the vote. Hichilema contested the [[2016 Zambian general election|2016 general election]] as the main opponent to Lungu and Hichilema finished second with 47% of the vote while Lungu was re-elected with 50% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mfula |first=Chris |last2=Mapenzauswa |first2=Stella |date=2016-08-15 |title=Zambian president Lungu re-elected in disputed vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/zambian-president-lungu-re-elected-in-disputed-vote-idUSKCN10Q19B/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |work=Reuters |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2018, the UPND was one of the 10 opposition political parties that formed the [[UPND Alliance|Opposition Alliance]], with Charles Milupi of the [[Alliance for Democracy and Development (Zambia)|Alliance for Democracy and Development]] as the chairperson.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2018-12-31 |title=Zambia : 10 opposition political parties resolved to work together to field candidates for 2021 Elections |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/12/31/10-opposition-political-parties-resolved-to-work-together-to-field-candidates-for-2021-elections/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2018-12-17 |title=Opposition Politicians Unite Against PF |url=https://www.openzambia.com/politics/2018/12/17/opposition-politicians-unite-against-pf |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Open Zambia |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2021, Hichilema was chosen by the alliance to be the flag carrier of the alliance and the sole presidential candidate for the alliance at the [[2021 Zambian general election|2021 general election]], while also deciding that only the UPND will be used for candidacy identification in all elective positions. The Opposition Alliance was rebranded as the [[UPND Alliance]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Zambia : Opposition Alliance will now be called UPND Alliance and I'll be the Alliance Presidential Candidate-HH |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/02/25/hh-says-the-opposition-alliance-will-now-be-called-upnd-alliance-and-he-will-be-the-presidential-canditate/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Lusaka Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Opposition Parties Form ‘UPND Alliance’, With HH As Presidential Candidate |url=https://www.openzambia.com/politics/2021/2/25/opposition-parties-form-upnd-alliance-with-hh-as-presidential-candidate |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Open Zambia |language=en-US}}</ref> Hichilema decided on 23 February 2021 that [[Mutale Nalumango]] (the UPND national chairlady) would be his running mate at the election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 January 2021 |title=Zambia : UPND Gives Convention details as HH files for Nomination for Party Presidence |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/01/29/upnd-gives-convention-details-as-hh-files-for-nomination-for-party-presidence/ |access-date=2021-08-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2021 |title=Zambia : Mutale Nalumango has been appointed as new UPND Vice President |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/02/23/mutale-nalumango-has-been-appointed-as-new-upnd-vice-president/ |access-date=2021-08-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In the [[2021 Zambian general election|2021 general election]], after almost 23 years in opposition, the UPND became the largest party in the National Assembly, winning a total 82 seats, forming 46.64% of parliament. The Patriotic Front won 59 seats (35.30% of parliament) and were therefore Zambia's largest opposition party.

After three months of official campaigns in 2021 that were briefly suspended first voluntarily upon the death of [[Death and state funeral of Kenneth Kaunda|Zambia's first President Kenneth Kaunda]] in June, and then on instruction from the [[Electoral Commission of Zambia|electoral authority]] due to incidents of political violence in several districts,<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 June 2021 |title=Zambia : Opposition commended for suspending election campaigns to mourn KK |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/06/19/opposition-commended-for-suspending-election-campaigns-to-mourn-kk/ |access-date=2021-08-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Campaigns banned – Zambia Daily Mail |url=http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/campaigns-banned/ |access-date=2021-08-23 |website=www.daily-mail.co.zm}}</ref> [[Hakainde Hichilema|Hichilema]] and Nalumango were elected President-Elect and Vice President-Elect with 2,852,348 votes or 59.02% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Presidential Election Results|url=https://zambiaelections2021.org.zm//home/results_by_constituency|access-date=2021-08-23|website=zambiaelections2021.org.zm|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102194506/https://zambiaelections2021.org.zm//home/results_by_constituency|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Youth representation==
The UPND has a youth league, the [[UPND Youth League]]. This youth League was formed to mobilise youth concerns. It represents young people from across Zambia. The party has signed a social contract with the youths, making it the first political party in Africa to have a youthful agenda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://flavafm.co.zm/2019/06/10/upnd-youths-in-kitwe-challenge-government-on-disbursement-of-youth-empowerment-funds/|title=UPND youths in Kitwe challenge government on disbursement of Youth Empowerment Funds|date=10 June 2019|publisher=Flava FM 87.7|access-date=8 August 2019|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808115801/https://flavafm.co.zm/2019/06/10/upnd-youths-in-kitwe-challenge-government-on-disbursement-of-youth-empowerment-funds/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Electoral history ==

=== Presidential elections ===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
!Election
!Party candidate
!Votes
!'''%'''
!Result
|-
|[[Zambian general election, 2001|2001]]
|[[Anderson Mazoka]]
|472,697
|27.20%
|'''Lost''' {{Nay}}
|-
|[[Zambian general election, 2006|2006]]
| rowspan="6" |[[Hakainde Hichilema]]
|693,772
|25.32%
|'''Lost''' {{Nay}}
|-
|[[Zambian presidential election, 2008|2008]]
|353,018
|19.70%
|'''Lost''' {{Nay}}
|-
|[[Zambian general election, 2011|2011]]
|506,763
|18.17%
|'''Lost''' {{Nay}}
|-
|[[Zambian presidential election, 2015|2015]]
|780,168
|46.67%
|'''Lost''' {{Nay}}
|-
|[[Zambian general election, 2016|2016]]
|1,760,347
|47.63%
|'''Lost''' {{Nay}}
|-
|[[2021 Zambian general election|2021]]
|2,852,348
|59.02%
|'''Elected''' {{Aye}}
|}

=== National Assembly elections ===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
!Election
!Party leader
!Votes
!'''%'''
!Seats
!+/–
!Position
!Result
|-
|[[2001 Zambian general election|2001]]
|[[Anderson Mazoka]]
|416,236
|23.77%
|{{Composition bar|49|150|hex=#dd0000}}
|{{increase}} 49
|{{increase}} 2nd
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[2006 Zambian general election|2006]]
| rowspan="4" |[[Hakainde Hichilema]]
|610,608
{{Small|as part of [[United Democratic Alliance (Zambia)|UDA]]}}
|22.51%
|{{Composition bar|26|150|hex=#dd0000}}
|{{decrease}} 48
|{{decrease}} 3rd
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[2011 Zambian general election|2011]]
|464,527
|17.21%
|{{Composition bar|28|150|hex=#dd0000}}
|{{increase}} 2
|{{steady}} 3rd
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[2016 Zambian general election|2016]]
|1,525,049
|41.66%
|{{Composition bar|58|156|hex=#dd0000}}
|{{increase}} 30
|{{increase}} 2nd
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[2021 Zambian general election|2021]]
|2,230,324
|46.22%
|{{Composition bar|82|156|hex=#dd0000}}
|{{increase}} 24
|{{increase}} 1st
|{{yes2|Majority government}}
|}

== National Management Committee ==
The '''National Management Committee''' ('''NMC''') of the United Party for National Development (UPND) is the party's chief executive organ, responsible for overseeing the party's strategic direction and governance. The NMC is elected every five years during the party’s General Assembly and is responsible for electing the [[National Executive Committee of the United Party for National Development|National Executive Committee]] for day-to-day decision-making.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.politicalpartydb.org/wp-content/uploads/Statutes/Zambia/UPND-Constitution-2009-accurate-as-at-March-2015.pdf |title=United Party for National Development Constitution}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 February 2021 |title=Zambia: UPND Unveils Newly Elected Management Committee with William Banda Raking Highly in the Party |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/02/16/upnd-unveils-newly-elected-management-committee-with-william-banda-raking-highly-in-the-party/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 August 2023 |title=HH Chairs UPND National Management Committee |url=https://ground.news/article/hh-chairs-upnd-national-management-committe}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2021 |title=Guy Scott Appointed to UPND Management Committee |url=https://www.openzambia.com/politics/2021/3/17/guy-scott-appointed-to-upnd-management-committee}}</ref>

The NMC includes key leadership positions such as the president, vice president, national chairperson, secretary-general, deputy secretary-general, and national treasurer. These top positions, often referred to as the "Top Leadership," play a pivotal role in guiding the party's policies and activities.{{Cn|date=October 2024}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web|title=Arrest of UPND party leader in Zambia prompts exceptional ALN concern|url=http://www.liberal-international.org/site/Arrest_of_UPND_party_leader_in_Zambia_prompts_exceptional_ALN_concern.html|agency=Liberal International|date=20 October 2016}}

{{Zambian political parties}}

[[Category:Political parties in Zambia]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1998]]
[[Category:Liberal parties in Zambia]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in Zambia]]
[[Category:Liberal International]]