Death of UNZA student sparks calls for sack of Students Union leadership (Video)

The University of Zambia (UNZA) Mother Body Associations have demanded the resignation of the university’s Students Union President, Vice President, and Secretary General following the death of a second-year engineering student, raising serious concerns over student welfare and campus sanitation.

In a letter dated April 1, 2026, the associations expressed concern over what they described as the student union’s lack of urgency in addressing critical issues affecting learners.

Copies of the letter were sent to leaders of various UNZA school associations, including the School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering, Veterinary, Agriculture, and Mineral Society associations.

“The tragic death of a fellow student exposes a widening gap between expectations and the performance of the current student union leadership,” the letter reads.

It further criticized deteriorating sanitation conditions at the university, calling them a serious health risk and a reflection of ineffective advocacy by UNZASU.

The associations urged the top leadership of UNZASU to step down “in a peaceful and honorable manner” to restore accountability and rebuild trust among students.

They also appealed to UNZA management to temporarily close the university to allow for maintenance and ensure a safe environment.

The call follows the death of 18-year-old Emmanuel Bwalya, who drowned after reportedly falling into an open water-filled pit on the UNZA campus on March 31.

His body was retrieved by the Zambia National Service and taken to Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Zambia Police Service has opened an inquiry and a post-mortem examination is pending.

The tragedy unfolded just hours after President Hakainde Hichilema convened an emergency meeting at State House, demanding immediate action to address worsening sanitation at public universities.

The President summoned officials from the Ministries of Education, Health, Infrastructure, and Water Development & Sanitation, along with UNZA management, instructing them to deliver urgent and practical solutions.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.