Hakainde Hichilema facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hakainde Hichilema
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Hichilema in 2025
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| 7th President of Zambia | |
| Assumed office 24 August 2021 |
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| Vice President | Mutale Nalumango |
| Preceded by | Edgar Lungu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 June 1962 Hachipona, Northern Rhodesia, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (now Monze District, Zambia) |
| Political party | United Party for National Development |
| Spouse | Mutinta Hichilema |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Zambia (BA) University of Birmingham (MBA) |
Hakainde Hichilema (born June 4, 1962), often called by his initials HH, is a Zambian politician, businessman, and farmer. He became the seventh president of Zambia on August 24, 2021.
Before becoming president, Hichilema ran for the office five times. He finally won the 2021 presidential election with over 59% of the vote. Since 2006, he has been the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
For many years, Hichilema was a major political opponent of Edgar Lungu, who was president from 2015 to 2021. In 2017, Hichilema was arrested and accused of a serious crime against the government. Many people around the world felt this was unfair and was done to silence him. After four months in prison, he was released and the charges were dropped.
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Early Life and Education
Hakainde Hichilema was born in a village in what is now the Monze District of Zambia. He was a talented student and earned a scholarship to study at the University of Zambia. He graduated in 1986 with a degree in Economics and Business Administration.
Later, he went to the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. There, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, focusing on finance and business strategy. Before entering politics, he was a successful businessman and the head of two major international accounting firms in Zambia.
Political Journey
Hichilema is a member of the United Party for National Development (UPND). After the party's founder, Anderson Mazoka, passed away in 2006, Hichilema was chosen to be the new party president.
Running for President
Hichilema ran for president for the first time in the 2006 election. He came in third place with about 25% of the vote. He ran again in 2008 after President Levy Mwanawasa died, and he again finished third.
For the 2011 election, his party tried to form a team with another major party, the Patriotic Front (PF). However, they could not agree on who should be the main candidate, and the partnership ended.
In the 2015 presidential election, Hichilema was one of the top two candidates. He lost by a very small number of votes to Edgar Lungu. Hichilema challenged the results but asked his supporters to stay peaceful. He faced Lungu again in the 2016 election and was once more narrowly defeated.
2017 Arrest
On April 11, 2017, Hichilema was arrested at his home. He was accused of a serious crime against the state after his group of cars, or motorcade, reportedly did not make way for the president's motorcade. Many people saw this as a simple traffic issue, not a major crime.
Police used force to enter Hichilema's home, causing damage and upsetting his family. He spent four months in prison before the government decided to drop the charges against him.
Response to the Arrest
The arrest was criticized by leaders and groups around the world, including the United States and the European Union. They saw it as an attempt to weaken the political opposition in Zambia. Protests were held in Zambia and other countries, calling for his release.
Many important people visited or tried to visit Hichilema in prison. This included former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and the head of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland.
When Hichilema was released from prison on August 16, 2017, people celebrated in the streets of Lusaka, the capital city. His popularity grew, and he later received the Africa Freedom Award in South Africa.
Presidency (2021–Present)
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Hichilema ran for president for the sixth time in the election on August 12, 2021. This time, he won by a large margin. On August 24, 2021, he was officially sworn in as the President of Zambia at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
As president, Hichilema promised to choose qualified people for his government. Some of his key appointments included Sylvia Masebo, Situmbeko Musokotwane, and Jito Kayumba.
Foreign Policy
President Hichilema has traveled to many countries to build relationships and attract investment for Zambia. He calls himself the country's "chief marketing officer."
His first major trip was to the United Nations in the United States. He has also visited the United Kingdom, the European Union, and many countries in Africa. These trips are aimed at boosting Zambia's economy and creating new opportunities.
In 2022, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed a deal to work together on making electric car batteries. Hichilema also announced major investments in Zambia's mining industry. He and the president of Tanzania also agreed to improve the TAZARA Railway, an important transportation link.
Honours and Awards
- Africa Freedom Award (2017): Given by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in South Africa.
- Honorary Doctorates: Hichilema has received honorary doctorate degrees from several universities in recognition of his work, including from Valley View University in Ghana (2023), Heriot-Watt University in Scotland (2024), and the University of Zambia (2024).
Personal Life
Hichilema is married to Mutinta Hichilema, and they have three children. He is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Besides his political career, Hichilema is known for being a successful businessman. He is one of the largest cattle ranchers in Zambia.
See also
In Spanish: Hakainde Hichilema para niños
- United Party for National Development
- Sylvia Masebo
