Hakainde Hichilema
Hakainde Hichilema is a Zambian businessman and politician who has served as the seventh president of Zambia since August 24, 2021. Leading the United Party for National Development (UPND) since 2006, he won the presidency in 2021 with 59.02% of the vote after contesting five prior elections.

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HAKAINDE HICHILEMA
Hakainde Hichilema was born on June 4, 1962, in a village in the Monze District of Zambia. He earned a scholarship to the University of Zambia, where he graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Administration. His academic journey continued at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, where he pursued an MBA specializing in Finance and Business Strategy.
Hichilema began his professional career as the chief executive officer of Coopers and Lybrand Zambia from 1994 to 1998, and later held the same position at Grant Thornton Zambia until 2006. His political journey took off when he became the president of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in 2006, following the death of Anderson Mazoka. He also led the United Democratic Alliance, which comprised three opposition parties.
In the 2006 elections, Hichilema represented the UDA, competing against incumbent President Levy Mwanawasa and Patriotic Front candidate Michael Sata. Despite receiving endorsements, including one from former President Kenneth Kaunda, he finished third, garnering around 25% of the vote. He continued to run for presidency in subsequent elections, facing setbacks in both the 2008 election and again in the 2015 presidential election, where he lost to Edgar Lungu by a narrow margin of 27,757 votes. Hichilema described the election as a sham and encouraged his supporters to remain calm.
His political challenges escalated in April 2017 when he was arrested on treason charges following a controversial incident involving his motorcade. The arrest was met with significant public outrage, as many perceived it as an abuse of power by the government. During his time in prison, Hichilema endured harsh treatment, including solitary confinement and torture, which drew international condemnation from various organizations and governments. He was eventually released on August 16, 2017, after the treason charges were dropped, leading to widespread celebrations across Zambia.
Hichilema's popularity surged post-release, and he received the Africa Freedom Award in 2017. He became a prominent voice for democracy and human rights, speaking at international platforms, including Chatham House in London. Despite facing further challenges, including a warning from the police in 2020 related to alleged conspiracy charges, Hichilema remained resilient in his political pursuits.
In the 2021 elections, Hichilema ran for the presidency once more and was declared the winner on August 16, marking a significant political turnaround for the UPND. Following his victory, he expressed his commitment to appointing qualified individuals to his administration, reflecting his dedication to governance and national development.
Hakainde Hichilema is married to Mutinta, and they have three children. A committed member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, he is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, being a millionaire and one of the largest cattle ranchers in Zambia.
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GOVERNING TIME LINE
Hakainde Hichilema assumed the presidency of Zambia on August 24, 2021, after winning the presidential election on August 12, 2021, in which he defeated the sitting President Edgar Lungu. Hichilema continues to serve in this role.