Zambia's main opposition group, the United Party for National Development picked its new chairman, a businessman in the capital city of Lusaka, as its presidential candidate for this year's election.

Hakainde Hichilema was appointed leader of the party, known as the UPND, on July 14, Elijah Rubvuta, the executive director for the Foundation for Democratic Change said in a telephone interview today. Ruvupa attended the UPND convention to monitor the proceedings. His group will also monitor the voting process.

Hichilema replaced UPND founder Anderson Mazoka, who died in May in South Africa. After UPND members asked him earlier this year to lead the party, Hichilema, 44, resigned as chief executive officer of the Zambian unit of Grant Thornton LLP, the sixth-biggest US accounting firm.

The opposition party candidate will run against President Levy Mwanawasa, who took office in 2001 and is seeking a second term. The incumbent's anti-corruption drive has won Zambia debt relief from international donors.

Hichilema beat Lusaka-based human rights lawyer Sakwiba Sikota, acting party head until last week's party convention.

Sikota will hold a press conference on July 18 to announce his next move, he said in a telephone interview on Friday.

Educated in Zambia and the UK, Hichilema has more than 14 years of local and international business experience, the Zambia Enterprise Network Association says on its Web site.