The Democratic Republic of Congo is in mourning. Roland-Gilbert Okito Lumumba , son of Patrice Emery Lumumba , the first Prime Minister and hero of Congolese independence, died on January 28, 2026 in Kinshasa , at the age of 67 , following an illness, according to concordant family and media sources.

A discreet but committed figure on the Congolese political scene, Roland Lumumba was the youngest son of Patrice Lumumba, who was assassinated in 1961, just a few months after the country's independence. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to preserving, defending, and passing on the political and historical legacy of his father, a symbol of Pan-Africanism and the struggle for African sovereignty.

A man of commitment and memory

Trained as an architect, Roland-Gilbert Okito Lumumba also served as a national deputy in the Democratic Republic of Congo for nearly ten years . Beyond his political roles, he was primarily known for his work in preserving Lumumba's memory , notably through his role within the Patrice Emery Lumumba Foundation , which he chaired.

He distinguished himself in several efforts to shed light on the circumstances of his father's assassination , both nationally and internationally. His commitment helped keep the memory of Patrice Lumumba alive for new generations, in the DRC and throughout the rest of Africa.

A historic moment: the return of Patrice Lumumba's relic

Roland Lumumba also played a central role in the 2022 repatriation of a relic of Patrice Lumumba , a tooth that had been kept in Belgium for several decades. This highly symbolic event marked an important step in the process of recognition and historical redress related to the assassination of the Congolese leader.

A disappearance that has stirred emotions far beyond borders.

The death of Roland Lumumba has sparked deep emotion in the Democratic Republic of Congo and throughout Africa , where the name Lumumba remains synonymous with dignity, resistance, and the struggle for the emancipation of peoples. Numerous political figures, intellectuals, and activists are paying tribute to a man who, without seeking the limelight, dedicated his life to preserving collective memory.

A legacy that endures



With the passing of Roland Lumumba, a voice of Congolese historical memory has been silenced. But the legacy he championed—that of Patrice Lumumba—remains alive, carried by history, institutions, and future generations.