ZAMBIA will observe five days of national mourning following the death of former Vice-President His Honour Dr. Guy Lindsay Scott, who passed away on Wednesday, 15th July 2026.
In a press statement issued Thursday, 16th July 2026, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick K. Kangwa announced that President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded the late former Vice-President a State Funeral in recognition of his distinguished professional and political contribution to the nation.
The President has declared a five-day period of National Mourning starting today, Thursday, 16th July 2026 to Monday, 20th July 2026.
During this period, the public has been advised that from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours daily, all national flags must fly at half-mast in honour of Dr. Scott.
According to the statement, Dr. Scott will be put to rest on Monday, 20th July 2026 at Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka.
The burial ceremony will be preceded by a State Funeral Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 10:00 Hours.
Members of the public have also been informed that the funeral gathering for the late Vice-President will be held at Belvedere Lodge along Leopards Hill Road in Kabulonga, Lusaka.
Dr. Guy Scott served as Republican Vice-President from 2011 to 2014 under the late President Michael Sata.
Following President Sata’s death in October 2014, Dr. Scott assumed office as Acting President of the Republic of Zambia, becoming the first white head of state in a democratic African nation. He served in that capacity until January 2015.
Before his time in high office, Dr. Scott also served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and was a key figure in Zambia’s political transition and democratic governance.
The Government has called on all Zambians to join in mourning Dr. Scott and to observe the declared period of national mourning with dignity.
(Mwebantu, Thursday, 16th July, 2026)