CHIEF Mukuni of the Toka Leya people in Southern Province has endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema for the August polls.

Chief Mukuni says he is persuaded that President Hichilema has delivered measurable national progress in his first term.

In a statement, Sunday, Chief Mukuni said he had endorsed the Head of State so that the already achieved “progress” could be consolidated for the benefit of all citizens.

“Fellow Zambians, as the King of the Bene Mukuni and a citizen of the Republic of Zambia, I have a solemn duty to speak truthfully, above partisan politics, whenever the national interest demands it. Having carefully reflected on the past five years, I am persuaded that President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND government have delivered measurable national progress. Zambia has moved from debt distress to stronger economic stability with healthy foreign reserves. [The country has also moved] from the devastation of drought to two successive bumper harvests; from millions of children being excluded from education to free education now protected by law and complemented by a nationwide school feeding programme; from a declining mining sector to renewed investor confidence; from an era of political intolerance to greater respect for the rule of law; and through the unprecedented recruitment of thousands of young Zambians into the public service,” stated Chief Mukuni.

“In good conscience, and in the interest of continuity, stability and national development, I wholeheartedly endorse President Hakainde Hichilema for a second term so that the progress already achieved may be consolidated for the benefit of all Zambians”.