Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema is set to take the oath of office for a second five-year term on 1 September 2026 at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, following a contested election in which his main rival has been arrested and charged with treason. The inauguration, declared a public holiday in Zambia, comes amid international scrutiny of the electoral process and concerns over the detention of opposition figures.
Hichilema secured victory on 13 August 2026 with 60% of the vote according to official results announced by Zambia's Electoral Commission. His principal challenger, Brian Mundubile, finished second with 38% but immediately disputed the outcome, claiming the results had been manipulated. Mundubile was unable to pursue a legal challenge after courts were closed on the final day permitted for filing such cases.
According to reporting on 27 August 2026, Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were detained by police and questioned over allegations of treason connected to supposed national security threats. The pair had gone into hiding immediately after the election but were apprehended last week. On 30 August 2026, the formal treason charge was confirmed, deepening international concern over political dissent ahead of the inauguration.
The day after polling, security forces conducted a raid on a property in the capital linked to Mundubile, during which a former cabinet minister was killed and numerous opposition politicians were arrested. The government alleged the opposition had been planning an armed insurrection, a claim the opposition denied. According to , several high-profile opposition figures were arrested in the sweep, prompting condemnation from international human rights organisations.
What concerns have observers raised about the election?
While polling day itself proceeded largely without incident, international election monitors identified significant irregularities in the vote-counting process. The European Union's election observation mission noted that staff in numerous tallying centres failed to record results on tally sheets immediately after they were announced, and highlighted weak verification procedures between digital entries and paper records. The mission also observed that returning officers frequently halted proceedings while awaiting instructions from their headquarters.
The international monitoring effort was substantial. The EU deployed 32 short-term observers across Zambia for the election, while the African Union and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) jointly deployed 33 observer teams across eight provinces. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) election observation mission also monitored the vote and the immediate post-election period.
What is Hichilema's economic record?
Hichilema, aged 64, came to office in 2021 following a landslide victory at a time when Zambia faced severe economic distress. The country had recently defaulted on its international debt and was experiencing annual inflation exceeding 24%.
We inherited a broken-down country… the economy was declining,Hichilema stated in an interview before the recent election.
During his first term, the former businessman negotiated a restructuring of Zambia's debt and restored relations with foreign creditors. Inflation has declined from its peak, though prices continue to rise and many Zambians still struggle with the cost of living. Hichilema has indicated his intention to build upon the economic foundations he established over the past five years.
Who will attend the inauguration?
Hichilema will be sworn in alongside his running mate, Mutale Nalumango. Presidents from several neighbouring African nations are expected to attend the ceremony, including leaders from Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tanzania.
What happens next?
The inauguration on 1 September 2026 marks the formal beginning of Hichilema's second term. The treason charges against Mundubile, Zulu and 17 others remain pending, with the legal proceedings likely to continue in the coming weeks and months. The outcome of these cases will be closely watched by international observers and human rights organisations monitoring Zambia's democratic institutions and the treatment of political opposition.
