Lungu, who served as President from 2015 to 2021, faced a substantial defeat in the general elections to current President Hakainde Hichilema, after which he largely withdrew from politics. However, reports indicated that he was considering a return to the political arena. His daughter, Tasila Lungu, announced his death in a heartfelt video statement, mentioning that he passed away on Thursday at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT).

In her tribute, she highlighted the unity and spirit of Zambian identity that her father emphasized during his presidency, stating, "In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of 'One Zambia, One Nation' - the timeless creed that guided President Lungu's service to our country." Lungu's legacy and contributions to Zambia remain a significant part of the nation's history as the country mourns his passing.