AS the year comes to a close today, we look at the life of Zambia’s sixth President, Edgar Lungu, who led the country from 2015 to 2021.
68 year old Lungu breathed his last on June 5, this year, at 06:hours at Medforum Clinic, a Medical Centre in South Africa.
The former President’s death came three days after he posted a romantic message about his wife on her birthday.
Lungu travelled to South Africa for treatment on January 19, 2025 and his death came as a shock to the nation as his social media admins would at times throw in posts here and there.
Born on November 11, 1956, in Ndola, Edgar Lungu’s life was one of law, service, politics, and unexpected ascension.
After graduating with a law degree from the University of Zambia in 1981, he worked at Andre Masiye and Company before briefly joining Barclays Bank and Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines.
He later underwent military training under the Zambia National Service in Kabwe.
He began his political journey with the United Party for National Development (UPND) under Anderson Mazoka before switching allegiance to the Patriotic Front (PF), led by the late President Michael Sata.
When PF won the 2011 election, Lungu was appointed Junior Minister in the Vice President’s office and quickly rose through the ranks to become Minister of Home Affairs, Defence, and Justice.
He even acted as President during Sata’s prolonged illness.
Following Sata’s death in 2014, Lungu was handpicked by PF to run in the January 2015 by election.
He narrowly defeated then opposition leader, President Hakainde Hichilema and was sworn in as President on January 25, 2015.
He was re-elected in 2016, but lost the 2021 election in a landslide to President Hichilema.
Although he briefly stepped away from active politics, Lungu made a political comeback in 2023, declaring his readiness to “fight from the front” in what he saw as the defence of democracy.
However, his 2024 bid for a third term was halted by the Constitutional Court on December 10th, which ruled that he had already served the maximum two terms.
Outside politics, Lungu was a devout Baptist, a family man and a proud father of six.
He was known for his soft spoken nature, love for fitness and passion for aquaculture, an area he heavily promoted during his presidency.
His legacy includes several infrastructural developments, notably Lusaka’s iconic flyover bridges.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, December 31, 2025
