Government Releases K23 Million for UNZA Following Student's Drowning Death

The Zambian government has released K23 million to address chronic water and sanitation failures at the University of Zambia, following the tragic death of a second-year student who drowned in an uncovered trench on campus.

Emmanuel Bwalya, 20, died after falling into a ditch that had been excavated as part of efforts to repair the institution's deteriorating sewer infrastructure. His death prompted student protests on Tuesday, with demonstrators calling for accountability, the temporary closure of the university, and the removal of the Vice Chancellor.

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Dr Kelvin Mambwe visited the campus on Wednesday to address students directly, conveying condolences from President Hakainde Hichilema and announcing that the government would assume full responsibility for Bwalya's funeral arrangements.

"We have lost one of you, a very young life, a life that had dreams, a life that was full of possibilities," Dr Mambwe told students. "It is something that should never, ever have happened."

Dr Mambwe confirmed that investigations into the negligence surrounding Bwalya's death had already been launched, and pledged that those found responsible would be held to account. He also announced that a comprehensive safety audit would be conducted across the entire university to identify and eliminate further hazards.

Immediate relief measures include the deployment of additional mobile toilets across the campus and the provision of clean drinking water through bowsers, pending the completion of longer-term infrastructure works. Dr Mambwe stated that the K23 million had been released on the same day as his address to students.

On the question of the university's closure and the removal of the Vice Chancellor, Dr Mambwe said the ministry would conduct a full assessment and respond within 24 hours.

Bwalya's death has cast a stark light on the broader infrastructure challenges facing Zambia's public universities, but the government's swift financial response reflects a wider commitment under President Hichilema's administration to raise living standards and public service delivery across the country. From upgrading schools and hospitals to expanding clean water access in both urban and rural areas, the New Dawn government has consistently positioned investment in public infrastructure as central to its mission of building a Zambia that works for all its citizens.