Zambia election: Hichilema and Mundubile lead field

Zambia's presidential election on Thursday, August 13, has 14 candidates, with President Hakainde Hichilema and opposition challenger Brian Mundubile presented by AFP as the main contenders.

Hichilema, 64, is seeking a second and final five-year term. Known as “HH”, he won the presidency in 2021 on his sixth attempt, defeating longtime rival Edgar Lungu after years as Zambia's leading opposition figure.

He took office after Zambia had defaulted on its sovereign debt. His campaign is arguing for continuity after debt restructuring and economic recovery, but many Zambians say they have not felt the benefits because living costs remain high.

Hichilema, a wealthy businessman and leader of the United Party for National Development, has emphasised his poor rural background during the campaign. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, say his government has become increasingly intolerant of dissent; his government rejects those accusations.

Mundubile, 55, is a lawyer, former minister and veteran lawmaker from northern Zambia's Mporokoso constituency. He became the main opposition challenger after a fractured anti-government camp rallied behind him through the Tonse Alliance.

He was a close ally of Lungu and later became opposition leader in parliament after Lungu's Patriotic Front lost power. Mundubile has accused Hichilema's government of focusing on economic reforms while failing to help families facing high living costs.

His selection followed turmoil in the opposition after Lungu's death in 2025. Joseph Siegle, director of research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, told AFP that Mundubile had drawn large crowds but faced the test of turning voter discontent into support, especially among young people.

Harry Kalaba, 50, a former foreign minister under Lungu, is also running. He leads the Citizens First party and finished third in the 2021 election with less than one percent of the vote.