George Mtonga Resigns from UPND, Critiques Zambia’s Political Elite in Scathing Exit
Lusaka – Economist and prominent diaspora voice George N. Mtonga has officially resigned from the United Party for National Development (UPND), ending a decade-long association with the ruling party. Once a vocal defender of UPND’s democratic ideals, Mtonga now accuses the party of betraying the very values that drew him in.
In a heartfelt and sharply critical statement, Mtonga made it clear that his resignation was not out of bitterness, but a principled refusal to remain aligned with what he views as authoritarian policy shifts chief among them, the recent enactment of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act of 2025.
“This law represents a fundamental betrayal of the ideals that first drew me to UPND,” Mtonga stated. “My conscience will not allow me to remain part of a party that has chosen to forsake the principles of freedom and openness.”
Beyond the party, Mtonga turned his focus to Zambia’s wider political elite. He directed harsh criticism at Hon. Binwell Mpundu, Miles Sampa, Christopher Kang’ombe, and Emmanuel Mwamba, accusing them of hypocrisy and selective activism.
“Binwell, if you had spoken up the way you are doing now when your party passed the internet shutdown law in March 2021, we wouldn’t be here,” Mtonga remarked, suggesting that some of the current political voices of dissent were silent when it mattered most.
He accused Kang’ombe of continuing to “work within a system that led to chains for Zambians” and criticized Sampa for past loyalty to former President Edgar Lungu. Even Emmanuel Mwamba—whom Mtonga acknowledged as intellectually capable—was advised to stay out of frontline politics due to his diplomatic background.
“You stayed,” Mtonga declared. “While I chose to leave. You stayed and oiled the machine that has kept the Zambian people chained.”
While Mtonga’s exit sparked serious conversations in political and civil society circles, it also drew skepticism and mockery from some corners of the UPND grassroots. Various party supporters took to social media to discredit his resignation and dismiss his significance within the party.
Here’s a snapshot of some reactions from UPND sympathizers online:
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Fred Musiwa: “The whole minister Kalaba resigned, what more him?”
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Webby N Kumoyo: “We don’t know him and we don’t need him.”
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Proud Muleya: “He resigned from which position in UPND? How come I’m hearing of this Mtonga for the first time?”
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Mike Madubeko: “He is not even known by the party. He has no impact. He just joined in 2015. Some of us joined in 1998. We know who built this party.”
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Taxwell Chisenga: “He’s just one vote in a sea of association. Let him go. It’s his right.”
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Hector Chileshe Mwansa: “Takwata na voters card uyu…” (This one doesn’t even have a voter’s card.)
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Muyenga Namitondo: “No pressure sir, go well. Join whoever you want. We are free here.”
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Justine Mudenda: “Good part of me, I don’t know him. Maybe he wants to become a president. Wait and see.”
While Mtonga’s departure has clearly stirred mixed reactions, what remains undeniable is that his resignation has opened a new chapter of debate not just within UPND, but across Zambia’s political landscape. Whether his principled stand gains momentum or fades into political footnotes will depend on how the party and the public respond to his challenge.