Tragedy struck Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on New Year's Day 2026 with the sudden death of his bodyguard, Corporal John Lwane Lumumba. Lumumba, a police officer attached to Kingi's security detail, passed away unexpectedly without prior signs of serious illness, just moments after conversing with the Speaker.

• Corporal John Lwane Lumumba died on January 1, 2026.
• Speaker Kingi described Lumumba as "not just a bodyguard" but "family," praising his "dedication, professionalism and loyalty."
• The cause of Corporal Lumumba's death has not been officially disclosed, and the National Police Service is yet to release a statement.