Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister Elias Mubanga has stirred controversy after telling residents of Lumezi Constituency that their voting choices in the 2021 general election are the reason many have not benefited from government empowerment funds offered through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).
Speaking in Kamimba Ward ahead of the Lumezi by-election scheduled for June 26, 2025, Mubanga stated that it would be difficult for residents to access empowerment programs if they continued to vote for opposition parties. He urged them to vote for the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate, Lufeyo Ngoma, to align with the government’s development agenda.
“Some of you didn’t vote well in 2021, and that’s why you haven’t benefited from the empowerment funds,” Mubanga said. “If you want to benefit from what the government is offering, you need to vote for someone who is aligned with the current leadership.”
His remarks have sparked debate over the impartiality of state-led economic initiatives, particularly in underserved regions like Lumezi. Critics argue that empowerment funds should be distributed fairly, regardless of political affiliation, as they are funded by taxpayers and intended to uplift citizens across the country.
Mubanga further urged voters not to support political parties that were previously in government, claiming that they failed to bring meaningful development to Lumezi. He pointed to UPND’s achievements, including free education and increased public service investment, as signs of the government’s commitment to improving lives in rural communities.
“We want pupils to be learning for free, and we want our people to have access to business opportunities through CEEC,” Mubanga said. “That can only happen if we speak the same political language.”
The by-election in Lumezi is expected to be closely contested, with the UPND seeking to make inroads into the area, traditionally seen as an opposition stronghold. The ruling party’s campaign has focused heavily on promises of infrastructure development, economic empowerment, and improved service delivery.
As the election date draws closer, voters in Lumezi will weigh the Minister’s remarks against their own experiences and aspirations. Meanwhile, questions about the politicization of government programs continue to dominate public discourse, highlighting the ongoing tension between political loyalty and equitable development.