Mwenya Musenge gets another political lease in Chimwemwe

Mwenya Laban Musenge gets another political lease in Chimwemwe

Born on December 26, 1963, Musenge’s political career is beginning to look less like a journey and more like a political tenancy agreement with frequent changes of address and an impressive number of landlords.

The National Assembly lists his profession as civil construction and his education qualification as Form V. But if there were a qualification for political endurance, Musenge would probably have graduated with honours.

His first parliamentary attempt came in 2001, when he contested in Chimwemwe constituency on the UPND ticket. He finished third with 2,219 votes, behind MMD’s Willie Nsanda, who won with 6,265, and Heritage Party’s Mungalaba Ackson, who polled 3,413.

Apparently, Chimwemwe had not yet received the memo.

In 2006, Musenge changed constituencies and moved to Nkana, where things went considerably better. He won convincingly with 13,210 votes against MMD’s Eunice Siwale, who managed 4,251.

By 2011, he had apparently decided that Nkana was nice, but Chimwemwe was calling him back. So he switched constituencies again and this time the voters welcomed him with open arms. Musenge won with 19,808 votes, comfortably defeating MMD’s Ronald Manenga, who polled 7,264.

His victory coincided with the PF’s triumph nationally, and both President Michael Sata & President Edgar Lungu rewarded him with ministerial appointments, including Deputy Minister of Defence and Copperbelt Provincial Minister.

Then came 2016

Musenge returned to Chimwemwe seeking another term on the PF ticket. But Chimwemwe voters decided that political loyalty should occasionally come with an expiry date. Independent candidate Elias Mwila won with 14,695 votes, leaving Musenge with 9,111.

Five years later, the political suitcase was packed again.

In 2017, Musenge left the PF and became founding Secretary General of the newly formed National Democratic Congress (NDC). But political parties, like family WhatsApp groups, can sometimes become complicated.

By 2019, internal friction had developed in the NDC. Then-party president Chishimba Kambwili demoted Musenge and replaced him, triggering factional disputes over who actually occupied the political throne.

By November 2021, following the leadership turmoil, Musenge emerged as national president of the NDC.

The NDC subsequently went through more transitions, Musenge eventually moved on.

And then came 2026.

Musenge found another political home in the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP).

After a political journey that has taken him through UPND → PF → NDC → NRPUP, Musenge returned to Chimwemwe for yet another parliamentary shot.

This time, the voters said: “Okay, let’s try this again.”

He won with 17,484 votes, defeating UPND’s Mwaya Mpasa, who polled 10,880.

And just like that, Musenge has secured another political lease in Chimwemwe.

From UPND to PF, from PF to NDC, from NDC to NRPUP, and from defeat in 2016 to victory 10 years later, Musenge’s political career has demonstrated one important principle:

In Zambian politics, changing parties may be easier than changing Constituencies and if the voters are patient enough, there is always another political lease waiting somewhere.

Musenge has certainly changed political addresses over the years. But somehow, Chimwemwe remains the home he keeps finding his way back to.