President Hichilema eulogizes late Lt Gen Zuze

President Hakainde Hichilema has described the late Lieutenant General, Peter Zuze (retired) as a soldier, pioneer, diplomat and patriot who dedicated the best years of his life to serving mother Zambia. The President said Lt Gen. Zuze, who hailed from Nalopa village in Petauke…

President Hakainde Hichilema has described the late Lieutenant General, Peter Zuze (retired) as a soldier, pioneer, diplomat and patriot who dedicated the best years of his life to serving mother Zambia.

The President said Lt Gen. Zuze, who hailed from Nalopa village in Petauke District in Eastern Province joined the Zambia Air Force in 1965 and rose to the position of Air Commander in 1972.

President Hichilema revealed that Lt Gen Zuze became the second Commander of the combined Zambia National Defence Force and is credited for helping build the Zambia Air Force into the proud force it is today.

The President’s remarks were delivered on his behalf by Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, during the funeral service for the late military Chief.

President Hichilema noted that the late Lt Gen Zuze later served the country with distinction as a diplomat in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United Nations, where he contributed to the fight for freedom in the region and the advancement of peace.

President Hichilema said Lt Gen Zuze’s journey from a small village to commanding the skies of Zambia and representing the country on the global stage is a reminder that no village is too small to raise a general.

The Head of State also noted that the country has lost a father, a family man, and an airman who defended Zambia’s skies and later advanced peace and freedom through diplomacy.

“His life was defined by discipline, courage, patriotism, and service above self, to our young people, the journey by General Zuze from Nalopa to the United Nations shows what education and above all, discipline and purpose can achieve, ” he said.

He said while Lt Gen Zuze’s uniform may now be folded, his name, service and example as an educated citizen will remain woven into the history of the nation.

“A life well lived, a life to be emulated, and a life full of passion for Mother Zambia,” the President stated.

President Hichilema conveyed condolences to Mrs Gertrude Zuze, his children, grandchildren and the entire Zuze family, thanking them for sharing him with the nation through many years of service.

He further called on men and women in uniform to honour his memory through discipline, professionalism and faithful service to the nation.

Zambia Air Force Commander, Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni noted that 1st March 1972 is a date that defines ZAF when a 29-year-old Zambian officer, Peter Zuze, was entrusted with command of a young Air Force at a critical stage of national development, becoming the first indigenous Air Commander.

“His appointment marked a decisive transition from colonial command to indigenous Zambian leadership, it demonstrated that Zambians were ready and capable of commanding and shaping their own defence institutions,” Lt Gen Nyoni said.

He added that every 1st March is commemorated as Zambia Air Force Day, in honour of that transition and the confidence the founding President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, reposed in him.

‘’As Senior Air Staff Officer, he oversaw construction of key bases including Mumbwa and Mbala now as Samora Mashel air base and as commander he reorganized and numbered flying squadrons to give ZAF structure, capability and identity,’’ said Lt Gen Nyoni added.

Lt Gen Nyoni said ZAF has immortalised him by naming the former Lusaka Air Force Base as Peter Zuze Air Force Base.

First Army Commander, General Kingsley Chinkuli, who served alongside Lt Gen Zuze, said his contribution must be seen in the context of a particularly challenging period marked by liberation struggles, political instability and serious security threats in the region.

“His legacy is not simply the positions he held, but the contributions he and our generation made to the development of the Defence Force structures and capabilities that underpin the peace and security Zambians enjoy today,” Gen Chinkuli said.

He said it was fitting that Lt Gen Zuze was being accorded full military honors and national respect, but his passing leaves a responsibility to reflect on the plight of former service chiefs.

“For more than eight years, Lieutenant General Zuze faced serious medical and welfare challenges. The hardships he and his family experienced are real examples of the wider difficulties being faced by a number of former service chiefs who do not have a comprehensive and clearly defined framework of welfare and entitlements after leaving office,” he said.

“I speak not as an observer, but as one who has walked the same path. We served under the same flag, during the same difficult period,” said Gen Chinkuli.

Gen Chinkuli appealed to President Hichilema, through the Secretary to the Cabinet and the Ministers present, to urgently address welfare concerns for retired service chiefs and uniformed personnel.

“We would like to ask you to really look at the concerns and the difficulties that are faced by former service people. We have a number of issues which need to be looked into as quickly as possible because people are facing difficulties in continuing to live a happy life,” he said.

“We remain hopeful that His Excellency will intervene so that those of our generation who are now elderly can enjoy the dignity, care and entitlements that our years of service have earned. That would be a fitting way to honor not only the memory of Lt Gen Peter Zuze but also the service of those still with us,” he stated.

He however extended his condolences to Mrs Zuze and the family on behalf of fellow Service Chiefs.

“Lt Gen Zuze has completed his watch. He served his country. Indeed, his duty is done,” he added.

Meanwhile, wife to the late Getrude Zuze said she was married to him for 55 years stating that she enjoyed life with him as partner and friend.

Speaking through a family representative, Bridget Lupambo, Mrs Zuze described the late husband as a loving, dedicated family man who anchored their home with discipline, love, faith and humility despite demands of national duty.

Lt Gen Zuze is survived by a wife, 4 children and 2 grandchildren.

He died on 14th September 2026 and has since been put to rest at leopards Hill memorial park.