Zambian born and bred Councillor Chewe Munkonge elected first black Lord Mayor of Oxford
Zambian 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐰𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞, has been announced as the new Lord Mayor of Oxford – the first Black person to hold the office.
By Kwilanzi News Zambia
Zambian 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐰𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞, has been announced as the new Lord Mayor of Oxford – the first Black person to hold the office.
In the ceremonial role, Councillor Munkonge will carry out a wide range of civic engagements, from leading Oxford’s Remembrance service to school visits and charity events.
The Lord Mayor also raises money for charity during their year-long term of office. Councillor Munkonge has chosen Sobell House and St Theresa to be his Lord Mayor’s charities for 2026/27.
Councillor Chewe Munkonge grew up in Zambia. He moved to the UK in 2003 and then to Oxford, to be closer to his wife, in 2008.
He has an MBA from Oxford Brookes University and works as a Central Admin Officer for an Oxford-based charity.
He was first elected to Oxford City Council in 2014 and represents Quarry and Risinghurst ward. He currently serves as Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford, and as the Council’s Small Business Champion.
Councillor Susan Brown, the Leader of Oxford City Council, made the announcement at the Council meeting last night (23 March).
She also announced that Councillor Louise Upton will be the Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford, and Councillor Linda Smith will be the Sheriff of Oxford for 2026/27.
Councillors Munkonge and Upton’s civic roles are subject to their re-election in May. (Credit: Oxford City Council)
Published: Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Councillor Chewe Munkonge is set to become the new Lord Mayor of Oxford – the first Black person to hold the office.
The ceremonial role will see Councillor Munkonge carry out a wide range of civic engagements during 2026/27, from leading Oxford’s Remembrance service to school visits and charity events.
Councillor Susan Brown, the Leader of Oxford City Council, made the announcement at the Council meeting last night (23 March).
She also announced that Councillor Louise Upton will be the Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford, and Councillor Linda Smith will be the Sheriff of Oxford for 2026/27.
Councillors Munkonge and Upton’s civic roles are subject to their re-election in May.
Mayor making
The Lord Mayor, Deputy and Sheriff will be sworn in at the traditional mayor making ceremony in Oxford Town Hall in May.
The ceremony will see the outgoing Lord Mayor, Councillor Upton, officially step down and hand over their chains of office to Councillor Munkonge.
The bells of Carfax Tower will then be rung by the Oxford Society of Change Ringers to commemorate the ceremony.
Councillor Chewe Munkonge grew up in Zambia. He moved to the UK in 2003 and then to Oxford, to be closer to his wife, in 2008.
He holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University, graduating in 2012, and works as a Central Admin Officer for an Oxford-based charity.
He was first elected to Oxford City Council in 2014 and represents Quarry and Risinghurst ward. He currently serves as Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford, and as the Council’s Small Business Champion.
Between 2019 and 2025, he was also a Governor at The Swan School in Oxford.
Outside of his civic duties, Councillor Munkonge plays football – he is a keen Oxford United fan – and enjoys movies and music. He is also a devoted family man, with three children.
Lord Mayor of Oxford
The Lord Mayor generally carries out more than 300 engagements each year. These cover a wide range, from Royal visits and leading Oxford’s annual Remembrance Sunday service to small community group meetings and charity events.
The Lord Mayor also raises money for charity during their year-long term of office. Councillor Munkonge has chosen Sobell House and St Theresa to be his Lord Mayor’s charities for 2026/27.
The first recorded Mayor of Oxford is Laurence Kepeharme, 1205-1209. Mayors’ names stretch in an unbroken line until 1962, when the dignity of the Lord Mayor was granted to Oxford by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Comment
“I am deeply humbled and truly honoured to be chosen as the next Lord Mayor of Oxford. Having had the privilege of representing the people of Quarry and Risinghurst for the past 11 years, this moment carries great personal and civic significance.
“Oxford is a city of remarkable history, diversity and opportunity, and I am proud to serve a community that continues to inspire and lead. As the first Black Lord Mayor of our city, I stand on the shoulders of those who paved the way, and I hope to be a source of inspiration for future generations.
“I look forward to championing our communities, supporting local charities, and representing Oxford with dedication, integrity and pride throughout the coming year.”
Councillor Chewe Munkonge
Cllr Chewe Munkonge is set to become the first Black Lord Mayor of Oxford, following an announcement made at a full Council meeting this week.
The ceremonial role, which typically involves more than 300 engagements per year, will see Cllr Munkonge lead civic events ranging from Remembrance Sunday services to school visits and charity fundraising throughout 2026/27. He has chosen Sobell House and St Theresa as his Lord Mayor’s charities for the year.
Cllr Louise Upton will serve as Deputy Lord Mayor, and Cllr Linda Smith as Sheriff of Oxford. Cllr Munkonge and Cllr Louise Upton’s appointments are subject to the May local elections.
The formal handover will take place at the traditional mayor making ceremony at Oxford Town Hall in May, when the outgoing Lord Mayor, Cllr Upton, will pass the chains of office to Cllr Munkonge, with the bells of Carfax Tower rung to mark the occasion.
Cllr Munkonge, who grew up in Zambia and moved to Oxford in 2008, has represented Quarry and Risinghurst ward since 2014 and currently serves as Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford.
