President Hakainde Hichilema will be sworn in for a second five‑year term on Tuesday following the August 13 election. The vote, which gave him 60 per cent of the ballots, was challenged by his main rival, Brian Mundubile, who now faces treason charges for alleged insurrection.
Mundubile, who received 38 per cent of the vote, was unable to file a legal challenge because the courts were sealed off on the final filing day. Security forces raided a Lusaka property linked to him a day after the poll, killing a former cabinet minister and arresting other opposition figures.
International observers noted that while the election day was largely peaceful, the tallying process suffered from weak verification between digital recordings and paper logs. Returning officers often paused before seeking instructions from headquarters, raising questions about the transparency of the final count.
Coming to office in 2021 amid Zambia’s recent debt default and a 24 per cent inflation rate, Hichilema credited his administration with restructuring debt and nudging inflation down, though many citizens still struggle with the cost of living.
The ceremony will be held at Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium and is expected to be attended by African leaders such as Botswana’s Duma Boko and Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan. Hichilema will take the oath alongside his running mate, Mutale Nalumango.
