UPND’S Rueben Mutolo Phiri, Former Minister of Agriculture has lost the Chipata North Parliamentary Seat

The political landscape of Chipata has undergone a dramatic shift following the declaration of the recent parliamentary election results. Jackson Ngoma, carrying the banner of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), has successfully scooped the Chipata North Constituency seat. In a stunning upset that has sent ripples through political circles both locally and nationally, Ngoma decisively unseated the incumbent Member of Parliament and former Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Mtolo Phiri of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). According to the official results tallied and announced at the constituency center, Ngoma secured a commanding victory by polling 15,366 votes. In stark contrast, the veteran politician and former cabinet minister managed only 5,169 votes, a margin that highlights a severe loss of confidence among the local electorate. The outcome marks a major milestone for the NRPUP and deals a heavy blow to the UPND's footprint in the Eastern Province, an area where political allegiances have historically been fiercely contested. The defeat of Mr. Phiri comes as a watershed moment, given his prominent role overseeing the Ministry of Agriculture during a critical and often tumultuous period for the country's farming sector. Analysts note that voter sentiment in agricultural hubs like Chipata is heavily influenced by grassroots economic realities, input distribution efficiency, and local infrastructural development. Observers suggest that persistent challenges faced by rural farmers and mounting economic pressures may have heavily galvanized voters to seek alternative representation in the National Assembly. Celebrations erupted across Chipata North as jubilant supporters thronged the streets to welcome Ngoma’s victory, heralding a new chapter for the constituency's legislative representation. For the opposition NRPUP, capturing this strategic seat serves as a major morale booster and validates their campaign