Activist Miti claims UPND has fallen short on reform promises

Activist Laura Miti has rated President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration below average, citing its failure to deliver on several key governance promises made while in opposition.

In a Facebook post dated Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Miti stated that despite some positive strides, the United Party for National Development (UPND) government had largely underperformed in areas critical to democratic governance and transparency.

She criticised the government’s handling of the Constitution-making process, alleging that it was being pursued in a way that appeared to serve the UPND’s political interests rather than the public good.

Miti also accused the administration of passing laws that curtailed citizens’ rights and withholding important public information.

“The ECZ report on delimitation, for example—there is no justifiable reason why it is not in the hands of citizens,” she said.

She further noted that the government had failed to act decisively on corruption within its ranks, despite regularly citing corruption under the previous Patriotic Front (PF) government.

“The government is allowing theft of public resources to continue, as revealed in its own audit reports,” Miti wrote.

She also expressed concern that public institutions meant to function independently were not demonstrating any real autonomy.

“If I were to rate how different the UPND government under HH has been from the PF under EL, purely on governance, I would give the current administration 4 out of 10,” she stated.

Despite the criticism, Miti acknowledged some significant improvements, particularly the reduction in political cadre interference in public life.

She commended the return of normalcy in civil society operations, noting that meetings were no longer being disrupted or cancelled due to political pressure.

“Ministers no longer threaten to break citizens’ bones, literally or figuratively. There’s order now at public gatherings,” Miti observed.

She explained that her comparisons were based on the UPND’s own framing of success, which is often contrasted with the PF era.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR