Chawama is a sign of good things that awaits opposition in August – Lubinda
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) candidate Bright Nundwe and eventual winner of the Chawama Parliamentary by-election (right) and Socialist Party Zambia leader and People's Pact candidate for the presidential election Thursday 13th August 2026 Dr. Fred M'membe (centre) listen to Patriotic Front (PF) and TONSE Alliance President Given Lubinda in January 2026. - Picture by Kalemba
By Kalemba
PF faction leader Given Lubinda has described the opposition victory in the Chawama parliamentary by-election as a clear warning shot to the ruling party, saying the outcome signals what awaits the country in the August 2026 general elections.
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Speaking shortly after Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) candidate Bright Nundwe clinched the Chawama seat, Lubinda said the people of Chawama had spoken through ballots and have since returned the constituency to where it rightly belongs.
“This has come at a very good time for us, the beginning of the year 2026. This is a signal of things yet to come,” Lubinda said.
The PF figurehead revealed that the outcome had honoured the legacy of former president Edgar Lungu, who once held the Chawama seat.
He added that the victory has also vindicated former MP Tasila Lungu, whose seat was declared vacant following her prolonged absence from Parliament.
Lubinda described the Chawama result as a timely boost for the opposition at the start of 2026, saying it gives hope of a political shift ahead of the general elections.
Nundwe, who is also former Copperbelt Province permanent secretary in the PF regime, won the seat after polling 8,085 votes, beating his closest rival, from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Morgan Muunda, who garnered 6,542 votes.
Other candidates were left behind, with the Citizens First (CF) candidate Mulenga Davison polling 1,534 votes and Independent candidates George Mwenya and Elijah Siatwambo, walking away with 466 and 428 respectively.
Meanwhile, National Congress Party (NCP) candidate Mutete Mohammad had 319, Alfred Ndiweni of NPPP with 239, Leadership Movement candidate, Musukuma Ntazana polled 100, and James Phiri got the least, 93 votes out of the 18,096.
Nundwe will drive Chawama henceforth till Parliament dissolves in May before the country goes to the general elections.
Kalemba January 16, 2026
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