The United Party for National Development (UPND) is a political party in Zambia. It was founded in 1998 and is currently the largest opposition party in Zambia. The party's president is Hakainde Hichilema.
The UPND's primary focus is on economic development and poverty reduction. The party has also been critical of the government's handling of the economy, particularly its decision to privatize key industries.
The UPND has been described as a "broad church" that includes both liberals and conservatives. The party is also seen as being more ethnically diverse than the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
The UPND's support base is largely rural, and the party has been successful in winning seats in rural areas in elections. However, the party has also been able to win seats in urban areas.
The UPND is a member of the opposition coalition known as the Alliance for a Better Zambia (ABZ). The party has also been active in campaigning for electoral reform in Zambia.
The UPND was formed in 1998 by a merger of three political parties: the Zambia Alliance for Progress (ZAP), the United National Independence Party (UNIP), and the Zambia Democratic Congress (ZDC).
The UPND's founding president was Anderson Mazoka, who served as the party's president until his death in 2006.
In the 2001 general election, the UPND won 27 seats in the National Assembly.
In the 2006 general election, the UPND won 38 seats in the National Assembly.
In the 2011 general election, the UPND won 42 seats in the National Assembly.
The UPND's best showing in a presidential election was in 2006, when Mazoka won 29% of the vote.
The UPND has been critical of the government's handling of the economy, particularly its decision to privatize key industries.
The party has also been active in campaigning for electoral reform in Zambia.
Add a review