A UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) pharmacy graduand who was looking forward to walking the graduation stage in a few weeks’ time has been found dead in Lusaka’s Makeni area under circumstances that are yet to be explained.
The deceased identified as Kelly Miyoba had only recently completed his pharmacy programme and was expected to graduate on May 22.
Sources close to the family have told Kalemba that Miyoba was discovered lifeless by a friend he had been staying with in Makeni.
Details leading to the discovery of Miyoba’s body are that sometime around 17:00 hours, relatives received a phone call from the young man’s grandfather informing them that he had been found dead.
The source explained that Miyoba’s friend is the one who first discovered the body before alerting the police.
Police officers later arrived at the house and attempted to open the deceased’s phone in order to identify and notify family members.
However, officers initially failed to unlock the phone and decided to take the body to the mortuary while continuing efforts to trace relatives.
Fortunately, officers later managed to gain access to the phone and retrieved the contact details of Miyoba’s grandfather.
The grandfather was then contacted and asked to go to the mortuary to confirm the identity of the deceased.
Upon arrival, the elderly man confirmed that the body was indeed that of his grandson.
As of now, the exact cause of Miyoba’s death remains unknown.
Sources indicated that family members are still trying to understand what could have led to the young man’s sudden passing.
Meanwhile, news of Miyoba’s death has left fellow students and members of the medical fraternity in shock.
Students from Ridgeway Campus, where pharmacy students are based, have since taken to social media to mourn the young man, describing his death as heartbreaking.
“Kelly Miyoba was one of us not long ago and it is heartbreaking to receive the news that he is no longer with us,” UNZA Ridgeway students Union shared.
According to fellow students, Miyoba had completed his studies just a few months ago and was eagerly waiting to celebrate his academic milestone during the upcoming graduation ceremony.
Instead of celebrating with him, his classmates are now mourning the loss of a colleague they describe as a friend.
Students have also indicated that they may organize a candlelight memorial in Miyoba’s honour as they await guidance from the family.
Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement.
By George Musonda
Kalemba March 10, 2026.
