Hakainde Hichilema

Hakainde Hichilema, often known by his initials HH or the nickname Bally (born 4 June 1962 in Hachipona, Northern Rhodesia), is a Zambian businessman, farmer and politician who has served as the seventh and current president of Zambia since 24 August 2021. He has led the United Party for National Development since 2006, following the death of its founder Anderson Mazoka, and was a major opponent of his predecessor, Edgar Lungu; he was arrested on treason charges in April 2017, in a move widely condemned internationally, before the charges were dropped that August. After contesting five prior presidential elections he won the presidency in 2021 and was re-elected in 2026.