During the independence of the DRC, there have been four "national orders":
Order of the Congolese Nation (),
National Order of the Leopard (),
National Order of Zaire (), and the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba, the last of which was founded by Law No. 009/2002 (5 August 2002) and amended by Decree-Law No. 012/2003 (30 March 2003). The previous national orders are no longer awarded. The order is named after President
Laurent-Désiré Kabila and Prime Minister
Patrice Lumumba. Both were assassinated while in office, on 17 January 1961 and 16 January 2001, respectively. and Kabila followed quickly after his death when his son
Joseph Kabila immediately took office as the new president. In the form of the new order, both are jointly commemorated as martyrs for national liberation against foreign influence. It is the highest order of the country, given for merits and loyal services to the nation. It is managed by the Chancery of National Orders (), located in
Gombe, Kinshasa. Its Grand Chancellor is the
President of the DRC, currently
Félix Tshisekedi, who is aided by the Chancellor, currently André Matutezulwa. The
Congolese orders, decorations, and medals have been marred by corruption. André Matutezulwa has publicly denied that he has ever decorated a Chinese national to the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba. was made Grand Officer of the order (17 May 2017) The order can be awarded to both Congolese nationals and foreigners. It can also be conferred posthumously. Membership can be revoked for treason or for other serious crimes. ==Classes==