UPND president Hakainde Hichilema says arresting those with divergent views cannot bring about development.

According to a statement issued by his deputy press secretary Brian Mwiinga, HH was speaking when he graced the Gonde Lwiindi ceremony in Monze.

“Arresting Hakainde or any one else unlawfully in the country is not development, because the country will always side with progressive and development focused not those oppressing others, our people have no food, medicine, education and all and surely you can’t keep suppressing them because they have rights,” said HH.

He also called for unity.

“We are one people, as country we must remain united and work towards alleviating poverty, no arrests on those with dissent will shape our country’s development agenda, even when hate and hurt speech, arrests are done on any of us in the country by those who do not value oneness, we must not be shaken because we outnumber them,” said HH.

HH also bemoaned the state of the agriculture sector.

“The UPND President sympathises with the farmers but calls on them across the country not to relent but remain hopeful. Mr Hichilema is also of a strong view that the country must continue joining hands in celebrating various traditional ceremonies as this will help shape the future,” stated Mwiinga.