23/02/2026
COPPERBELT STUDENTS ENDORSE HICHILEMA FOR 2026 ELECTIONS
Students from higher learning institutions across the Copperbelt have endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema's candidature for the August 2026 general elections.
The endorsement was made when students from various colleges interacted with the Head of State at Arthur Davis Stadium in Kitwe this afternoon during a working visit to the Copperbelt.
National Council of Students Union (NACOSU) Vice President Lloyd Nsonge said students across the Copperbelt have endorsed President Hichilema because of the achievements recorded in the last four years, while NACOSU President Michelo Chizombe emphasized the need for students to rally behind the Republican President in the forthcoming elections.
Accepting the endorsement, President Hichilema said it was the first time in the country's history that students from different colleges had united in friendship with a sitting President.
"I want to confirm to you that I, Hakainde Hichilema, your Bally, is here to accept your endorsement for the 2026 August elections. You are not the future leaders — you are the leaders of today," he said.
President Hichilema pointed to the re-introduction of meal allowances, the provision of free education, bursaries, skills training, and the resumption of hostel construction projects that had been stalled for more than 15 years as evidence of his Government's commitment to students.
"There is no way a student can go to class with hunger. How can anyone learn with an empty stomach? That is why we re-introduced meal allowances," he said.
The President assured students that pro-education policies would continue and urged them to carry his campaign message ahead of the polls.
"Free education is here to stay, bursaries are here to stay, meal allowances are here to stay, hostel construction is here to stay. But for this to continue, you have a job to do — to campaign for Bally, your friend," he said, appointing all student movements as his campaign managers and urging them to mobilise support from hostels, lecture rooms, markets and bus stops ahead of the August 13 vote.
Earlier, Copperbelt University Students Union President Given Chipewo expressed gratitude to the UPND Government for initiatives such as meal allowances, scholarships, and the provision of free education, while Mukuba University Students Union Vice President Regina Mwaanga thanked the President for ensuring that Zambia remains a beacon of peace and hope for future generations.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema also attended a church service at St Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church, Chifubu Parish in Ndola, where he commended the Catholic Church for its contributions to education, healthcare and community services.
He recalled a fracas during a previous visit ahead of the 2021 general elections, when police attempted to remove him from the church for not having a permit to worship there.
"I know you know that things have changed. We have freedom of worship and we must thank God for that," he said.
President Hichilema said he was impressed by the parish's farm development initiative and pledged to quietly work with the Chifubu Parish Vicar General to support the project.
"As a person who believes in sowing the seed, I would like to work with the Parish Vicar General, if it's allowed, quietly to support this parish in developing that farm," he said.
February 23, 2026
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