17/06/2026
UPND’s 2026 Manifesto Continues Development Agenda Launched in 2021, Says Dr. Katotobwe
By ZR Reporter
Dr. Caroline Katotobwe, Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy and Governance, has described the United Party for National Development (UPND)’s newly launched 2026 Manifesto as a continuation of the development agenda initiated when the party assumed office in 2021.
Speaking during a recent media discussion, Dr. Katotobwe offered a positive assessment of the UPND administration’s performance over the past five years, commending the government for successfully navigating what she characterized as one of the most challenging periods in the country’s history.
She cited the administration’s response to the worst drought Zambia has experienced, as well as its efforts to address food and energy insecurity and manage the country’s substantial debt burden, as key achievements that demonstrated resilience and effective leadership.
Dr. Katotobwe highlighted several flagship accomplishments of the government since 2021, including the implementation of free education and the introduction of a school feeding programme. She also pointed to increased recruitment of teachers and healthcare workers, noting that expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations had facilitated the construction of additional health facilities across the country.
On governance reforms, she praised the strengthening of anti-corruption institutions, the establishment of fast-track courts to accelerate the handling of corruption-related cases, and ongoing asset recovery initiatives aimed at enhancing accountability and transparency.
Commenting on the UPND’s 2026 Manifesto, Dr. Katotobwe said the document builds upon the foundation laid during the party’s first term in office. According to her, while the 2021 manifesto focused primarily on systemic reforms and macroeconomic stabilization, the new agenda shifts emphasis toward economic growth as a driver of broader national development.
She argued that the government has already established the macroeconomic conditions necessary for economic expansion, positioning the country for what she described as a period of economic “take-off.”
Dr. Katotobwe further noted that the government’s focus has now evolved from fulfilling key commitments, such as free education, to enhancing the quality and effectiveness of public services. In the education sector, she cited efforts to further reduce teacher-pupil ratios as an example of the administration’s commitment to improving learning outcomes.
As a leading voice in civil society, Dr. Katotobwe also addressed issues of governance and gender representation. She emphasized that her engagement with political stakeholders is motivated by the need to promote balanced representation, particularly by encouraging political parties to create pathways for women to occupy senior leadership positions and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.
She stressed that strengthening women’s representation in politics remains essential to building inclusive democratic institutions and ensuring broader participation in national development.
© Zambia Reports | June 17, 2026
