Why Zambia’s Hichilema does not stay in presidential palace
Since coming to power in 2021, President Hichilema has been living in his private residence, sparking speculation, political debate, and court cases.
There has been unending controversy in Zambia over why President Hakainde Hichilema doesn’t stay in the presidential palace, known as State House.
Since coming to power in 2021, President Hichilema has been living in his private residence, sparking speculation, political debate, and court cases.
He has now opened up, pushing back against criticism and justifying his decision to avoid State House, which is the official residence.
During a meeting with councillors and local government leaders earlier this week, Hichilema hinted that he is more familiar with his private residence than the presidential palace.
Zambia’s Lusaka Times reported that the president told the local politicians that even when he was "dreaming at night" he could identify where the restroom is in his private home, where he is residing, which could not be the case at the presidential palace.
Hichilema said he had no issue with what he called the "noise" people are making about his decision, but "it’s better" for him to reside at his private residence because his mind is "freer" there.
Although President Hichilema does not live in the State House, he uses it for official purposes, including meetings, ceremonies, and hosting foreign dignitaries.
‘Private residence’
The private residence, known as Community House, where the Zambian president lives, is in New Kasama, an affluent neighbourhood in the suburb of the capital Lusaka. It’s about 10 kilometres from the State House, which is located in Lusaka’s Bimbe area.
The controversy surrounding President Hichilema's residence started in 2021, soon after he won election against his bitter political rival, then-incumbent President Edgar Lungu, who died last year in South Africa.
In 2023, Zambia’s Constitutional Court dismissed a case filed by leader of the opposition Patriots for Economic Progress party, Sean Tembo, challenging President Hichilema for not relocating to the State House.
The court ruled that the case lacked merit because the constitution does not compel the president to stay in the official residence.
Nonetheless, public conversation on the matter is back as Zambia prepares for another presidential election in August, with President Hichilema widely expected to seek a second term in office.