Hakainde Hichilema

Hakainde Hichilema (born 4 June 1962), often known by his initials HH and the nickname "Bally", is a Zambian businessman, farmer, and politician who is the seventh and current president of Zambia since 24 August 2021. Since the death of Guy Scott in 2026, he is the only living person who has been president of Zambia.

Hichilema has led the United Party for National Development since 2006, following the death of party founder Anderson Mazoka. Prior to his election, he was a major opponent of Edgar Lungu, who was president from 2015 to 2021. On 11 April 2017, Hichilema was arrested and charged with treason, a move that was seen as an illegitimate act by Lungu to silence a political rival. The arrest and charge were widely condemned, with protests held in Zambia and abroad, demanding Hichilema's release and condemning the increasing authoritarianism of Lungu's regime. Hichilema was released from prison on 16 August 2017, and the charge of treason was dropped. After having contested five previous presidential elections, he won the 2021 presidential election and was re-elected to a second consecutive term in 2026.