“POVERTY OF THE MIND”: AS PEOPLE OF LUAPULA REMEMBER UPND HATE SPEECH
In October 2023, Zambia’s former Minister of Education, Douglas Siakalima, provoked national controversy by describing Luapula Province as suffering from a “poverty of the mind.”
This statement, widely interpreted as hate speech, suggested that the challenges faced by the region extend beyond financial hardship to include a deeper lack of education.
However, the backlash was muted—not by consensus, but by a climate of selective justice and restrictive cyber laws that have stifled open criticism under President Hakainde Hichilema’s reign.
Siakalima, who belongs to the dominant ethnic group within the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), was not held accountable for hate speech.
This exemption highlighted a troubling pattern: individuals linked to the Zambezi region and ruling elite operate beyond the reach of laws that others fear.
The cyber laws in place have intensified this imbalance by effectively gagging citizens who might otherwise speak out against government officials, as the threat of arrest looms large.
With the 2026 election campaign season underway, the people of Luapula have turned this repression into a powerful call for change.
Armed with placards and determination, they are attending rallies in unprecedented numbers, using these rare public platforms to voice dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a system of selective justice.
Their message is clear: they demand equal treatment under the law and respect for their rights, challenging a government they feel has marginalized and silenced them for too long.
Anyone in Luapula will find it difficult to vote for President Hichilema after he failed to act or at least condemn hate speech from one of his political attack dogs.
For many Zambians, the principle of fairness is non-negotiable.
The placards on “poverty of the mind” hate speech seen in Luapula are not merely about education or economics—they are a reflection of citizens’ yearning for dignity, fairness, and inclusion.
