The Story of Engineers in Zambia Army

Origins: The Birth of Zambia's First Engineer Unit (1964)

The story of 1 Engineer Regiment began in October 1964, at the dawn of Zambia's independence. From a class of 200 recruits trained at Kalewa Barracks (then Demoline Barracks), 65 soldiers were selected to form a new Engineer Squadron in Mufulira. The new unit was established on land near Sikalongwe Police Station, formerly owned by a private contractor who made concrete pipes and bricks.

At the time, infrastructure was minimal—just one office block and a long iron-sheet shelter. The soldiers, however, carried a sense of purpose greater than their surroundings. They were pioneers—builders of a new army in a new nation.

Early Days: Structure and Leadership

The Squadron began with three troops, four officers, two warrant officers, and six NCOs, many drawn from the Royal Engineers of the United Kingdom and Zambia's 2nd Infantry Battalion. The first Officer Commanding was Major Early, assisted by Captain Bar, with troop commanders Lt. Nsemwe, Lt. Blackson Mwila, and 2Lt. Hipoth White. The squadron's two senior soldiers were WO II Mutima (Zambian) and WO II Sprately (British).

By 1971, as Zambia took greater control of its defence institutions, the British instructors were repatriated, and Captain Blackson Mwila became the first Zambian to command the unit. This period marked the full Zambianisation of the Engineer Corps—a proud moment of national self-reliance.

Becoming a Regiment: 1978–1980

As Zambia's military infrastructure expanded, the unit's role grew. In 1978, the Squadron was upgraded to a semi-regiment, and by 1980, it became a full Engineer Regiment. It was reorganized into several sub-units:

• 56 Field Squadron

• 57 Field Squadron

• 63 Field Park Squadron

• 66 Field Plant Squadron
  Later, 58 Field Squadron was added in 1984.

The Regiment's early Commanding Officers included Lt Col. B.N. Mwila, Lt Col. M.M. Walika, and Lt Col. B.W. Shonga, all of whom helped establish the foundation of Zambia's modern military engineering capability.

Training the Builders: The School of Military Engineering

The Mufulira base that housed the Regiment later became home to Zambia's premier engineering school. Initially used by white miners for Home Guard training and as a small medical post, the site evolved into the Training Depot, then the Engineer Training Wing (1976), and eventually the School of Military Engineering (SME) in 1987.

In 1988, it was briefly renamed the College of Military Engineering before reverting to SME in 1989—the title it proudly holds today. The school trained generations of soldiers in construction, demolitions, bridging, watermanship, and mechanical skills—ensuring Zambia had a self-sufficient corps of engineers.

One of the school's satellite facilities, Kambilombilo, was originally an open prison for political detainees during the independence struggle. After 1988, it was transformed into accommodation for students attending engineering courses—a powerful symbol of turning struggle into learning.

Learning from the World

The Regiment's growth was supported by partnerships with friendly nations:

• China (1976): Trained Zambian engineers in improvised mines and demolitions.

• Iraq (1980): Taught watermanship and mine warfare.

• Britain (1981 & 1986): Introduced advanced bridging systems like the Medium Girder Bridge (MGB).

• Russia (1986): Trained personnel in mine-laying and clearing equipment.

Later, in the 2000s, instructors were sent to South Africa for advanced courses in watermanship, leadership, and squadron management—reflecting the Corps' continued commitment to professional excellence.

Courses and Specializations

By the early 1970s, the Regiment began offering Combat Engineer Courses, upgrading local soldiers' technical proficiency. In 1973, it also started Civil Trade Courses, training soldiers in carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, welding, mechanics, and electrical work—skills that became vital for national infrastructure projects.

As Zambia's defence needs evolved, so did the Regiment. The early 2000s saw the creation of a Tactics Wing, focusing on reconnaissance, leadership, and command courses for senior NCOs, in partnership with the South African Army.

The Military Engineering Services Regiment (MES Regt)

To manage construction and maintenance across the Army, the Military Engineering Services Regiment (MES) was formed on 1 March 1992, following the disbandment of 7 Garrison Engineer Squadron.

Headed by a Deputy Director of MES at the Engineer Directorate (rank of Lt. Colonel), MES Regt became responsible for infrastructure maintenance, minor projects, and budgeting for all army establishments. It included four key squadrons:

1. Army HQ MES Squadron (Lusaka) – covering Army HQ and MILTEZ.

2. 67 MES Squadron (Lusaka) – serving Southern and Eastern Provinces.

3. 68 MES Squadron (Kabwe) – serving Central, Western, and Northern Provinces.

4. 69 MES Squadron (Ndola) – covering Luapula, North-Western, and Copperbelt Provinces.

Legacy of Leadership

The Regiment's long history has been shaped by a distinguished succession of commanding officers, from Maj. T.W. Ely (1964). Over the decades, 1 Engineer Regiment has grown from a small, resourceful unit to a vital pillar of Zambia's defence infrastructure—bridging rivers, constructing bases, and restoring critical routes in both peace and war.

Builders of Nation and Battlefield

Today, Engineers stands as the backbone of Zambia's combat support capability—a symbol of ingenuity, endurance, and service. Engineer soldiers build under fire, repair under pressure, and innovate under constraint. From constructing bridges in conflict zones to building schools and clinics in peacetime, their mission remains the same: to serve, to build, and to protect.

In many ways, the Engineers' story mirrors Zambia's own—born from struggle, strengthened by resilience, and always building toward the future.