Know Your Candidates 2026 Presidential Election – 13 August 2026
Name: Mr. Hakainde Hichilema Running Mate: Mutale Nalumango Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
Incumbent President of Zambia since August 2021. Businessman and long-time opposition leader who won the 2021 election. Seeking a second term on the platform of economic recovery and continuity.
Name: Mr. Brian Mundubile Running Mate: Makebi Zulu Party: National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) / Tonse Alliance
Born 5 January 1971 in Mporokoso. Lawyer and chartered accountant. Former PF MP for Mporokoso, Provincial Minister, Government Chief Whip and Leader of the Opposition. Currently the main opposition challenger.
Name: Mr. Harry Kalaba Running Mate: Moses Mawere Party: Citizens First (CF) / Orange Alliance
Born 12 June 1976 in Mansa. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs (2014–2018) and MP for Bahati. Left the PF, contested the 2021 election under the Democratic Party, and later founded Citizens First.
Name: Dr. Fred M’membe Running Mate: Dolika Banda Party: Socialist Party
Name: Mr. Kelvin Fube Bwalya (KBF) Running Mate: Milner Katolo Party: Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP)
Lawyer and experienced political strategist. Played key roles in PF election campaigns under Sata and Lungu, later assisted the UPND in 2021. Founded Zambia Must Prosper after leaving previous parties.
Name: Given Mwenya Chansa Running Mate: Harrison Chewe Party: Movement for Economic Emancipation (MEE)
Presidential candidate under the Movement for Economic Emancipation, focusing on economic empowerment themes. Limited public biographical details available beyond his 2026 candidacy.
Name: Mr. Xavier Chungu Running Mate: Gerald Dingiswayo Mwanza Party: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
Former Director-General of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service (1991–2001) under President Frederick Chiluba. Has faced various legal issues over the years and is contesting the 2026 election under the Liberal Democrats.
Name: Mr. Howard Kunda Running Mate: Chipo Miyoba Party: Zambia Wake Up Party (ZAWAPA)
Leader of the Zambia Wake Up Party and 2026 presidential candidate. Limited detailed public biography available.
Name: Dr. Brian Mushimba Running Mate: Andyford Mayele Banda Party: Organised People’s Party (OPP)
Former minister in the PF government. Contesting the 2026 election under the Organised People’s Party.
Name: Mr. Ackim Njobvu Running Mate: Not publicly detailed Party: Democratic Union (DU)
Candidate of the Democratic Union. Limited public biographical information available beyond his nomination for the 2026 presidential race.
Name: Prof. Daniel Chibale Pule Running Mate: Bert Mushala Party: Christian Democratic Party (CDP)
Candidate of the Christian Democratic Party. Limited detailed public biography available.
Name: Dr. Richwell Siamunene Running Mate: Not publicly detailed Party: New Focus Party
Candidate of the New Focus Party (sometimes referred to in connection with National Farmers Party). Limited public biographical details available.
Name: Dr. Richard Silumbe Running Mate: Kaela Kamwenesha Party: Leadership Movement (LM)
Leader of the Leadership Movement and 2026 presidential candidate. Limited detailed public biography available.
Name: Rev. Dr. Given Katuta Mwelwa Running Mate: John Nyirenda Party: Independent
All images are courtesy of ECZ (Electoral Commission of Zambia)