PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S “BROKEN PROMISES”: A RESPONSE TO EMMANUEL MWAMBA- State House
By Clayson Hamasaka
Chief Communications Specialist,
State House
In a recent display of his usual propaganda, Emmanuel Mwamba has touted himself as a truth-teller while accusing President Hakainde Hichilema’s government of breaking promises and delivering nothing of value to the Zambian people. This was after my friend of many years Laura Miti canonized Mwamba’s fibs by awarding him the mud medal. Thanks Laura, we expect more falsehoods from Mwamba against the Republican President, going forward.
However, Mwamba’s assertions, as always, are riddled with manipulation, half-truths, and outright falsehoods. This article sets the record straight and exposes the baseless claims perpetuated by the “Ambassador of Lies.”, and “Munyamata Waboza Ngako”
*Mwamba’s Track Record: A Career Built on Deception*
First, let’s consider the credibility of Emmanuel Mwamba himself. His political career, which has spanned three administrations, is characterized by prevarication, deception, and episodes of mysterious controversies. From his early days as a bank clerk, which reportedly ended under unclear circumstances, to his roles under successive governments, Mwamba’s legacy has been one of manipulation and opportunism.
Engaging directly with Mwamba is akin to stepping into a pigsty: one inevitably emerges dirtied, while he revels in the filth. As someone who taught him journalism ethics over 20 years ago, I am all too familiar with his tricks. Yet, Mwamba shamelessly continues to misinform the public, hoping to derail the progress of the very government working to rebuild what his Patriotic Front (PF) administration destroyed.
*The ALEBWELELAPO Agenda: A Failing Opposition*
Mwamba, along with his allies Raphael Nakachinda and Given Lubinda, has become a caricature of opposition politics. Fired from their respective positions under different administrations, these individuals’ political lives are marred by failures and betrayals. They now traverse the country, hopping from alliance to alliance, desperately clinging to relevance. Meanwhile, their former party, the Patriotic Front, has been taken over by “small boys,” as they’ve lost control of the party’s direction.
Mwamba’s inability to endure opposition politics is evident. Since helping the PF lose power in 2021, his agenda has been clear: spread falsehoods and hope for a return to power under the ALEBWELELAPO banner. Yet, his attempts are futile—the Zambian people see through the lies.
*President Hichilema’s “Failures”: A Closer Look*
Let us now examine some of the “failures” attributed to President Hichilema’s administration by Mwamba. These so-called failures, in truth, represent unprecedented achievements in Zambia’s history:
*1. Decentralization*
For the first time in Zambia’s history, power has been devolved from the central government to local authorities. Substantial funds are being remitted under CDF and other programmes to even the remotest areas, resulting in tangible development such as schools, health centers with running water, and maternity annexes equipped with solar power and running water.
*2. NAPSA Partial Withdrawal*
Again for the first time in the history of Zambia, citizens have been able to access a portion of their pension funds before retirement or death. This landmark policy has allowed ordinary workers to use their savings to start small businesses, supplement their incomes, build homes, and invest in farming. However, critics like “Munyamata waboza ngako” dismiss this as yet another failure.
*3. Revamping the Mining Sector*
I cannot recall any time in Zambia’s history when so much investment flowed into the mining sector within just three years of a new government taking office. Under the previous government, the Patriotic Front (PF), mines were being closed, and legal battles between mining companies and the state dragged on for years. In contrast, President Hichilema has successfully restored stability to the sector, resolving most disputes out of court, boosting investor confidence, and attracting billions of dollars in investment. Yet, despite these achievements, critics like President Hichilema’s detractors “Ambassador Of Lies” continue to spread false narratives.
*4. Free Education*
While I have great respect for the late Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, who introduced the free education policy, it is important to note the stark differences between his era and President Hichilema’s. Dr. Kaunda inherited a strong economy, a population of around 4 million, and a flourishing mining sector. In contrast, President Hichilema took office with a bankrupt economy, a massive debt, and an economy in deep recession. Despite these challenges, President Hichilema reintroduced free education, bringing over 2 million children back to school. Ironically, this over-enrollment, which some critics like Edgar Lungu, calls a failure, is evidence that millions of children had been out of school for years.
*5 *Re – Introduction of Meal Allowances*
The reintroduction of student meal allowances in public universities, which were previously cut by the PF government, and the increase in the number of bursaries for students, are also notable achievements. The President understands what it means for a student to attend class on empty stomach. Critics like Emmanuel Mwamba should visit public universities and explain to students that this policy is a lie, and if it exists the ALEBWELELAPO will reverse it because it is fine for students to learn on empty stomachs.
*6 Employment of Teachers Health Workers, and Military Personnel*
There’s no Zambian President since 1964 who’s employed public service workers and military personnel more than the current President. President Hakainde Hichelima has employed over 70,000 teachers, health workers and Defense professionals in under three years. This is unprecedented and I challenge “Munyamata waboza ngako” to visit any military cantonment and tell those military officers that they don’t exist, that they are ghosts and not human beings.
*7. Soldiers Receiving 100% Peacekeeping Allowances*
President Hichilema has also made history by being the first president to ensure that soldiers on peacekeeping missions receive 100% of their allowances. This is a significant departure from previous administrations. I can facilitate Emmanuel Mwamba to visit a military parade and address the soldiers that this policy will be reversed if “ALEBWELELAPO” succeeds.
*8 Elimination of violence and cadresim*
President Hakainde Hichilema has eliminated PF’s most valuable asset, which is violence and intimidation. Citizens were being attacked and maimed for speaking in certain tongues or wearing clothes of certain colours. Market and bus stations were terror cites, while people were being beaten by ‘commanders’ in graveyards, churches and Radio stations. Citizens were being followed in their homes and assaulted, while land was being forcibly grabbed from rightful owners. Emmanuel Mwamba must tell the nation if this is still the case.
*9 Social Cash Transfers*
Due to the worst drought in 100 years, the government has implemented a variety of social safety nets to support vulnerable communities, especially those in rural areas severely affected by drought. Unfortunately, since “Munyamata waboza ngako” does not seem to have any known connection or background to rural Zambia, he dismisses these efforts as lies.
*Final Thoughts: A Call for Truth and Accountability*
If I were Emmanuel Mwamba, the “Ambassador of Lies” and “Munyamata waboza ngako,” I would remain silent in shame, rather than continuing to spread falsehoods. Instead of criticizing, Mwamba should reflect on the remarkable progress President Hichilema has made in rebuilding the nation, despite inheriting a broken economy and a massive debt burden. In my journalism school, I emphasized the importance of fact-based reporting. It is truly unfortunate that Mwamba has abandoned these principles and instead chosen to embrace sensationalism, dishonesty and uttermost criminality.
AND PLEASE, AS A FARMER, I AM NOT ASHAMED TO SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH FELLOW CITIZENS ON WHAT WE DO IN OUR FARMS AS A WAY TO INSPIRE EACH OTHER. PLEASE SOMEONE TELL THE AMBASSADOR OF LIES EMMANUEL MWAMBA TO FIND A SMALL PIECE OF LAND AND PLANT SOME MAIZE AS A CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD SECURITY AT HIS HOME AND THE NATION.
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S “BROKEN PROMISES”: A RESPONSE TO EMMANUEL MWAMBA
