President Hakainde Hichilema has backed a dignified burial for former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, saying Zambia has a duty to accord its sixth Republican President full military honours and urging all parties involved to work together to bring closure to a matter that has remained unresolved for a year.
The President made the remarks on Tuesday during funeral proceedings for Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV at Ephendukeni Palace in Chipata. Traditional leaders, church leaders, government officials and thousands of mourners had gathered to bid farewell to the late Ngoni monarch.
The comments followed an appeal by Chipata Catholic Diocese Bishop George Lungu, who urged Government and the family of the late former President to find common ground and facilitate a Christian burial.
Addressing mourners, President Hichilema said former presidents deserved to be honoured for their service to the nation and left little doubt about his position on the burial of Mr Lungu.
“And I want to say that this applies, Bishop Lungu, to our Sixth President, who we lost. It is our duty to bury him with the military protocols. He was commander-in-chief of our country,” President Hichilema said.
The Head of State said the responsibility to honour a former president transcends political differences and belongs to the nation as a whole.
“And I agree with you, we must all work together to bury our Sixth President with dignity in a military style. Let us work together to do that,” he said.
The remarks were among the clearest public statements made by the President on a matter that has remained unresolved since Mr Lungu died in South Africa on June 5, 2025.
The burial issue has continued to attract appeals from church leaders, family members, political figures and ordinary citizens calling for closure.
Earlier in the service, Bishop George Lungu described the prolonged absence of a burial as a source of continuing grief for many people.
“The continued absence of closure has prolonged grief for many and has left a wound that is felt far beyond those that are directly involved and close to him,” the bishop said.
The church leader appealed for understanding from all parties and expressed hope that circumstances would soon allow the late former President to be laid to rest.
President Hichilema thanked the bishop for raising the matter during the service.
The appeal came during a ceremony marked by reflections on service, unity, reconciliation and the inevitability of death. The funeral drew traditional and political leaders from Zambia and neighbouring countries, including Malawi, South Africa and Mozambique.
Several speakers reflected on the importance of honouring leaders in death regardless of differences that may have existed during their lifetimes.
President Hichilema also spoke about the obligation of the living to ensure that those who have served the nation are buried with dignity and respect.
No timetable for the burial of former President Lungu was announced during the proceedings.
However, the President’s public endorsement of a dignified burial with full military honours added fresh momentum to calls for a resolution of the matter.
The message from both church and political leaders in Chipata was consistent: all parties should work together to ensure that Zambia’s sixth Republican President is laid to rest with dignity and honour.
Far too late for some I guess
Many may feel trying to save face at this late stage with some issues not going in your favour
The man was ridiculed, denied state pension, demonized, denied his love of jogging, literally imprisoned in his home, he could have been treated with more humility and respect as a former head of state
Don’t put things across like he was an angle………..
He banned HH from travelling with Zambia…………
he banned HH from attending KKs funeral.,…..
Any radio station hosting HH was attacked and vandalised……..
His thugs maimed you if you wore red, even funeral procession were attacked…….,
Women were undressed in public for wearing red
Only a psycho over sees things like that
FWD2041
@ spaka, please note that it is not angle but angel.
Also note that your candidate who cheated his way to the throne won’t have it easy. No body and I mean no body in Zambia may want to be cheated twice. Is that the reason for your retribution. Name one woman who was undressed for wearing red, just one.
Hikatembo
On Labour Day celebrations, right under the podium of none other than the old witch VP innonge wina……….
A young woman was striped naked by PF caders for wearing red, and that old woman did not intervene, she actually seemed to enjoy the humiliation of that young woman…….
And how did HH cheat his way to the throne ??
FWD2041
Totally put out of perspective didnt hh show his arrogance in mongu which started all this and isnt upnd going the same way you may blame opposition all the time which if one was closer to the ground
cadres heckle others and when they retaliate the blame falls on them
Anyway two wrongs dont make a right but the facts remain neither is fitting for the top post
Honors only after he dies
Niyodoubta
He has seen the writing on the wall. The government is about to lose the case in the south african supreme court thats why the change of stance.