The Extraordinary Life and Unyielding Duty
of Shapa Wakung’uma.
Colonel Martin Kalaluka Liyungu
A Profile of Resilience, Elite Athleticism, and Absolute Loyalty in the Zambia Police Service.
In the high stakes world of VIP protection, an Aide-de-Camp is often seen but rarely heard, standing as a silent,
stoic shadow behind the Head of State or President. Yet, for Mr. Shapa Wakung’uma, a Commissioner of Police, that
shadow was cast by a lifetime of extraordinary resilience, elite athletic triumph, and an unshakeable moral
compass. Today, he stands as one of the most respected figures in modern Zambian law enforcement and
history.
Born on 23 January 1976, in the sandy terrain of Kalabo, Western Province, Zambia, and raised in Mongu,
Wakung’uma’s trajectory changed forever at the age of 12. On the canvas of a local judo mat, under the fierce
but gentle guidance of the legendary Irish Catholic priest, Father Jude McKenna, a young Shapa discovered
the virtues of Judo, the samurai code of honor, discipline, and self-restraint.
It was a foundation that would
define his entire career.
In 1995, at just 19 years old, Shapa’s discipline was paired with a love for music nurtured during his school days
at St John’s Secondary School in Mongu. He officially joined the Zambia Police Service as a bandsman. Even
at this early stage, his leadership was clear; by 1995, he was already coaching a team of youth judokas from
Mongu who went on to compete in a national championship in Lusaka. It quickly became evident that
Wakung’uma was destined for the front lines rather than the orchestra. His exceptional physical prowess and
sharp intellect propelled him rapidly through the ranks of standard law enforcement.
Parallel to his rise in the police service was his historic dominance in international sports. Competing in the 66kg
weight class, Sensei Wakung’uma became a global sports ambassador for Zambia. He captured consecutive
Commonwealth Judo Championship Gold Medals in 2006 (Belfast) and 2008 (Mauritius), alongside an
All-Africa Games Bronze Medal in 2007. Holding a distinguished 4th Dan Black Belt, his athletic feats
earned him the prestigious President’s Medal of Meritorious Achievement in 2011. He later immortalized his
journey in his 2021 autobiography, Judo: The Sport That Leveraged my Life.
Wakung’uma’s unyielding commitment to duty was tested famously in 2019 in Sesheke, where he defied highly
aggressive political cadres to maintain public order. This steadfast adherence to the rule of law over political
pressure initially resulted in an early forced retirement. However, his unshakeable moral compass eventually
brought him back to active service. His academic pursuits match his tactical brilliance, holding a Bachelor of
Laws (LLB) from Cavendish University Zambia and a Master of Arts in Defence & Security Studies from the
University of Zambia.
In recognition of his absolute bravery and selflessness during a dangerous stone attack against the presidential
entourage in Chingola, President Hakainde Hichilema officially elevated him in 2025 from Deputy
Commissioner of Police to Commissioner of Police, Special Duties
Today, he continues his unwavering
service as the chief bodyguard and Aide-de-Camp to the President of Zambia, protecting the presidency with the
same discipline he discovered on the mat decades ago.
Shapa Wakung’uma stands as a definitive archetype of the modern African public servant, seamlessly blending elite tactical capability with an unshakeable moral compass.
His journey from a police bandsman to the Commissioner of Police for Special Duties and a two-time Commonwealth Gold Medalist is a profound testament to how the core philosophies of judo can be masterfully applied to high stakes statecraft and security.
Ultimately, his legacy is defined not just by the high profile leaders he protects, but by how he protects them: with unflinching bravery, institutional impartiality, and a deeply approachable humility that has earned him the enduring respect of an entire nation.
