Ruling UPND rues plans by PF to organize parallel funeral rites for late President Lungu

The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has expressed dismay over the stance taken by the Patriotic Front (PF) in the funeral rites of former President Edgar Lungu.

Former President Lungu died on June, 5, 2025, in South Africa after an illness.

UPND Secretary General, Batuke Imenda in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday said, the government procedures on the funeral of a former President as enshrined in the republican constitution kicked in the moment he was pronounced dead.

Imenda stated that this was not only a constitutional dictate but a moral, cultural and traditional requirement and practice that we have lived with for centuries.

He said it was shocking that the PF leadership came up with parallel funeral programme which offends all known norms.

“While we may have differed with the former President on matters of principle and policy, and approach to governance and development, we respected him as a human being and leader,” Imenda said.

He stated that a solid line should, therefore, be drawn between political statements and arguments, and national programmes such as the death of the former President.

Imenda appealed to the PF to allow the nation to mourn the departed leader with dignity and honour deserving of his status.

“It is not fair to our dear former First Lady Mama Esther Lungu and the entire Lungu family for the PF to engage in this zero sum game,” he said.

Imenda urged the PF to rethink their position and allow government to carry out its functions regarding the funeral.

He argued that this was no time for politicking or seeking to gain some political mileage over a solemn function such as this one.

“May the Lord console the bereaved family and may the soul of our departed former Republican President rest in peace,” Imenda stated.

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