The United Party for National Development (UPND) has adopted Aubrey Bampi Kapalasa, a local businessman in Katuba, to contest the upcoming Parliamentary by-election in the area.

Announcing the decision in Lusaka, Thursday, UPND Chairman for elections who is also Mazabuka member of parliament Garry Nkombo said Kapalasa was selected from nine other applicants.

Nkombo pledged that his party would conduct peaceful campaigns in Katuba until the day of elections, which is July 30.

“It is our fervent hope that from our end, we have instructed our structure to give Katuba a shinning example of a peaceful campaign. We received nine applications and I would like to thank all the aspiring candidates that are here as there way of demonstrating the support for the party and its President and also for the candidate who has emerged as the preferred person to carry the flag on behalf of UPND. Without wasting any time, allow me to present to you ladies and gentlemen from the press and through you to our country, the candidate that UPND has adopted for Katuba in the name of Aubrey Bampi Kapalasa!” said Nkombo.

Meanwhile, Kapalasa thanked the party for giving him an opportunity to stand in Katuba.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for making this possible. I would also to thank all the candidates that took part in this process, I would like to tell them that you are actually great and without you, we wouldn’t reached this point. Lastly, I would like to thank the party and the president. Thank you very much UPND, I love you UPND,” said Kapalasa.

The 42-year-old Kapalasa comes from Mungule village in Chief Mungule’s area in Katuba constituency, Chibombo District. He participated in the 2016 general elections in Katuba constituency as an independent candidate and came out third.

And according to Party Spokesperson Charles Kakoma, Kapalasa has been in the forefront in developmental issues in Katuba constituency where he has sunk boreholes in Kabile, Chunga, Mungule and Katuba wards and he has also helped in building classroom blocks in Kabile and Muchenje wards in Katuba constituency.