Humphrey Mulemba

Humphrey Mulemba
Member of Parliament for Lukusuzi
In office 1964 – 1967
Member of Parliament for Chipata East
In office 1969 – 1972
Member of Parliament for Solwezi East
In office 1991 – 1996
Personal details
Born	September 1932
Died	February 1998
Nationality	Zambian
Political party	UNIP, MMD, National Party, Zambian Democratic Congress
Occupation	Politician, Freedom Fighter
Profession	Trade Unionist, Miner
Awards	Order of the Eagle of Zambia: Second Division

Humphrey Mulemba (September 1932 – February 1998) was a Zambian politician, freedom fighter and trade unionist. He was a key figure in the struggle for Zambian independence and served in various capacities in the post-independence government, including as Minister of Trade, Minister of Mines, and Secretary-General of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). He also served across other major political parties: the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and the National Party.

Early life and career

Mulemba was educated at Chikuni and started his career as a miner at Nchanga Copper Mines in Chingola. He later became an assistant personnel officer and was active in trade union activities, eventually becoming the full-time secretary of the General Workers’ Union. His political involvement led to his detention in 1959, alongside other activists.

Political career

After his release in 1960, Mulemba resumed political work with the United National Independence Party (UNIP), becoming the party's secretary for the North-West Province. He entered Parliament in 1964 as MP for Lukusuzi and served as Deputy Speaker for three years. In 1967, he was appointed Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and the Public Service, before holding various other ministerial positions, including Minister of Trade and Minister of Mines. He was instrumental in the Zambianisation of the mining sector, chairing the Mines Zambianisation Committee.

In 1981, he was appointed Secretary-General of UNIP, a role he held until 1985 when he was replaced by Grey Zulu and assigned to diplomatic service. By 1990, as UNIP’s popularity declined, Mulemba joined the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), surprising many given his long-standing association with UNIP.

Role in multi-party politics

During the transition to multi-party democracy in 1991, Mulemba was elected MP for Solwezi Central under the MMD. He served as Minister of Mines and Mineral Development from 1991 to 1992. However, disillusioned with the governance of President Frederick Chiluba’s MMD, Mulemba left the party and, in 1995, co-founded the Zambian Democratic Congress (ZDC) with Dean Mung'omba.

Later, Mulemba and other prominent figures, including Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika and Emmanuel Kasonde, formed the National Party. Mulemba became the president of the new opposition party, which contested the 1996 elections but struggled to gain significant ground.

Death and legacy

Humphrey Mulemba passed away in February 1998 and was buried at Chief Kapijimpanga’s royal graveyard in Solwezi. Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of the Eagle of Zambia: Second Division, recognising his contribution to the nation.

See also

• United National Independence Party
• Movement for Multi-party Democracy
• National Party (Zambia)

References

• "Humphrey Mulemba: Freedom Fighter and Politician". The Zambian Observer. [1]