Edgar Lungu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edgar Lungu
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Lungu in 2019
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| 6th President of Zambia | |
| In office 26 January 2015 – 24 August 2021 |
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| Vice President | Inonge Wina |
| Preceded by | Guy Scott (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Hakainde Hichilema |
| Minister of Defence of Zambia | |
| In office 23 December 2013 – 25 January 2015 |
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| President | Michael Sata Guy Scott |
| Preceded by | Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba |
| Succeeded by | Davies Chama |
| Member of the National Assembly for Chawama | |
| In office September 2011 – 25 January 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Violet Sampa-Bredt |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence Sichalwe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 November 1956 Ndola, Loangwa, Northern Rhodesia, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (present-day Copperbelt Province, Zambia) |
| Died | 5 June 2025 (aged 68) Pretoria, South Africa |
| Political party | Patriotic Front |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | University of Zambia |
Edgar Chagwa Lungu (born 11 November 1956 – died 5 June 2025) was a Zambian politician. He was the sixth president of Zambia. He served from January 2015 to August 2021.
Before becoming president, Lungu worked as a minister. He served under President Michael Sata. He was the Minister of Justice and Minister of Defence. After President Sata died in October 2014, Lungu became a presidential candidate. He represented the Patriotic Front party. He won the special election in January 2015 by a small amount. He defeated Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu officially became president on 25 January 2015.
Lungu was elected for a full presidential term in August 2016. He again won against Hakainde Hichilema. Hichilema questioned the election results. However, the court confirmed Lungu's win. Lungu was sworn in for his full term on 13 September 2016.
In 2021, Lungu lost the presidential election. His long-time opponent, Hakainde Hichilema, won. Lungu passed away in June 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa. This happened after complications from surgery.
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Early Life and Education
Edgar Lungu was born on 11 November 1956 in Ndola, Zambia. He studied law at the University of Zambia. He earned his law degree in 1981. After university, he worked at a law firm in Lusaka. He also received training to become a military officer in Kabwe.
Political Journey
Lungu started his political career as an independent candidate. He ran for the Chawama constituency in the 1996 election. Later, he joined the United Party for National Development.
In 2001, Lungu joined the Patriotic Front party. He ran for the Chawama constituency again in the 2001 election. In the 2011 general election, he won the parliamentary seat for Chawama. This meant he became a Member of Parliament.
Rising Through Government Ranks
After the Patriotic Front won the 2011 election, Lungu became a Junior Minister. He worked in the office of the Vice-President. In July 2012, he was promoted. He became Minister of Home Affairs. In December 2013, he became Minister of Defence. He also served as Acting President when President Michael Sata was unwell.
Lungu held important jobs within his party. He became the Patriotic Front's Secretary General. He also served as Minister of Justice starting in August 2014.
Becoming Acting President
President Sata traveled for medical care in October 2014. Lungu was put in charge of the country. President Sata passed away on 28 October 2014. Vice-President Dr. Guy Scott then became Acting President. Lungu was seen as a strong choice to become the next president.
In November 2014, Lungu was chosen as President of the Patriotic Front party. This happened at a party meeting in Kabwe.
Winning the Presidency
On 20 January 2015, Lungu ran in the presidential by-election. He won against Hakainde Hichilema. The difference in votes was very small. The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced him as the winner on 24 January.
Serving as President
Lungu was sworn in as President of Zambia on 26 January 2015. The ceremony took place at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
First Steps as President
Soon after becoming president, Lungu made some changes. He appointed Inonge Wina as Zambia's first female Vice-President. In March 2015, Lungu had an operation in South Africa for a health issue.
On 16 July 2015, Lungu changed the sentences of 332 prisoners. He changed their death sentences to life in prison. He also talked about how crowded prisons were.
In October 2015, Lungu asked for a national day of prayer. This was to help the country's economy. This day, 18 October, became a yearly public holiday.
Growing Zambia's Economy
Lungu focused on making Zambia's economy stronger. He wanted to rely less on copper mining. He aimed to grow other areas like farming and energy. He met with leaders from other countries. These included French President François Hollande and Pope Francis.
Re-election and Later Years
Lungu ran for a full term in the August 2016 presidential election. He faced Hakainde Hichilema again. Lungu won the election with just over half of the votes. Hichilema questioned the results. However, the court confirmed Lungu's victory. Lungu was sworn in for his full five-year term on 13 September 2016.
In August 2021, Lungu ran for re-election in the general election. He lost to Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu accepted his defeat. Hichilema was announced as the winner on 16 August 2021.
Life After Presidency
After the 2021 election, Edgar Lungu decided to step back from politics. However, he announced his return to active politics on 28 October 2023. He became the leader of one group within the Patriotic Front party.
In early 2024, Lungu's group joined the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA). This was a group of different opposition political parties. Later, in November 2024, Lungu's group joined the Tonse Alliance. Lungu was chosen as the leader of this alliance. He was also picked as their candidate for the 2026 general election.
On 10 December 2024, a court ruled that Lungu could not run for president again. This was because he had already served the maximum two terms allowed. Despite this, he remained the leader of his party group and the Tonse Alliance chairperson.
In May 2025, the different groups of the Patriotic Front party came back together. Lungu was given back the party presidency.
Family and Passing Away
Lungu married Esther Lungu in 1986. They had six children together. One of his children, Tasila Lungu, became a Member of Parliament. Lungu and his family were Baptists.
Lungu had some health problems during his life. In early 2025, he traveled to South Africa for special medical care. On 5 June 2025, Lungu passed away in Pretoria, South Africa. He was 68 years old. His death was due to heart problems after a surgery.
Books About Edgar Lungu
A biography (a book about someone's life) about Edgar Lungu was published in 2017. It is called Against All Odds. A Zambian journalist named Anthony Mukwita wrote the book. It was the first Zambian book sold at Barnes & Noble. It was also the first Zambian book about a head of state shown at the London Book Fair.
Images for kids
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Edgar Lungu in January 2015
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A large crowd at the inauguration ceremony
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Lungu with Russian president Vladimir Putin in July 2018
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See also
In Spanish: Edgar Lungu para niños
- List of international presidential trips made by Edgar Lungu
