Government has declared a one day period of National Mourning in honour of Dr Joseph Katema, a former Cabinet Minister in the Patriotic Front administration, whose body is expected to arrive in Zambia from India tomorrow.
Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa said President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded the late former minister an Official Funeral in recognition of his service to the nation.
Mr Kangwa said Dr Katema’s body will arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka at 14:35 hours on Thursday aboard Emirates Airlines. The funeral service will be held at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka at 10:00 hours on Friday, before burial at Leopards Hill Memorial Park later the same day.
President Hichilema has also declared Friday, August 7, 2026, a day of National Mourning, to be observed from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours, with all national flags flying at half mast for the duration.
Dr Katema died on August 2, 2026 in India, where he had travelled for specialised medical treatment. He was 65.
A career spanning three decades in public service
A medical doctor by profession, Dr Katema represented Chingola Constituency on the Copperbelt as Member of Parliament from 2006 until 2016. Under the late President Michael Sata, he served as Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health from 2011 to 2014, before being reassigned as Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services. Following President Edgar Lungu’s rise to office, Dr Katema was appointed Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, a post he held until the 2016 general elections. He was subsequently appointed Zambia’s Ambassador to Italy, a posting he held until 2021.
National mourning as recognition of public service
The declaration reflects Zambia’s convention of honouring senior officials who served across multiple administrations, and comes at a politically sensitive moment with the country mid way through preparations for the August 2026 general elections.
The Zambian Economist extends its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr Joseph Katema.
