Katuta moves to unseat Hichilema in 2026, declares presidential bid as an independent candidate

Chienge independent lawmaker, Given Katuta Mwelwa, has joined a growing list of presidential hopefuls by officially announcing her intention to run for President of the Republic of Zambia in the 2026 general elections.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday, Mwelwa said Zambia was at a critical juncture.

“After months of listening to our people, reflecting, and praying, I have made a bold but necessary decision by officially declaring my intention to run for President of the Republic of Zambia in 2026 as an Independent Candidate,” Mwelwa said.

“Zambia stands at a crossroads. The dreams of 2021 have faded, hope has turned to hardship, and our people are crying for leadership that is not tied to party agendas but to the people’s real needs.”

Mwelwa explained that her decision to stand as an independent was motivated by a broken political party system, which she said had become “a place of betrayal, confusion, and corruption.”

She argued that Zambia needed “a fresh, fearless, and people-powered presidency” capable of confronting the country’s challenges directly.

“Let us speak plainly. These are the battles our people are facing every day: High cost of living – Food, fuel, and rentals have become unaffordable; youth unemployment – Our graduates are walking the streets with empty pockets and broken dreams,” she said.

She further cited the national debt, stating the country was “borrowing to survive, not to build,” while observing that the Kwacha had collapsed, prices were rising as wages stagnated, load shedding was disrupting business and family life, and corruption persisted despite leaders preaching integrity.

“Our clinics have no medicine; our schools have no desks. Also, inputs, low prices, and late payments have frustrated our food producers,” she added.

On the issue of freedom of expression, Mwelwa warned that citizens were being silenced through arrests, while on gender inclusion she said:

“Gender exclusion is a pipe dream as women remain spectators in a game they must help lead. Hence, Zambia cannot wait for another 5 or 10 years; the time to act is now. I am a woman who has walked through fire and refused to be silenced. If we want to change Zambia, women must rise. Not just to clap at rallies, but to lead from the front.”

She also called on young people to stop waiting for leaders and instead “become the leaders,” stressing that Zambia was “not for sale but for Zambians.”

“I am not a perfect woman, but I am a prepared woman. I am not part of a cartel. I am part of the people,” Mwelwa stated.

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