This year's anniversary marked the first time in 50 years of independence that Zambia's sitting head of state was absent at the festivities, as President Michael Sata was abroad for what his staff called a “medical check up.” 
Maadhimisho ya siku ya uhuru kwa mwaka huu yameweka historia ya kuwa maadhimisho ya kwanza kufanyika katika miaka 50 bila kuhudhuriwa na rais aliye madarakani kufuatia Rais Michael Sata kuwa nje ya nchi katika kile wasaidizi wake wanachokiita “uchunguzi wa afya yake.”