People from Sankuru

Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba (14 June 1949 – 24 April 2016), known professionally as Papa Wemba, was a Congolese singer and musician who played Congolese rumba, soukous and ndombolo. Dubbed the "King of Rumba Rock", he was one of the most popular musicians of his time in Africa and played an important role in world music. He was also a fashion icon who popularized the Sape look and style through his musical group Viva la Musica, with whom he performed on stages throughout the world.

Patrice Émery Lumumba (alternatively styled Patrice Hemery Lumumba; 2 July 1925 – 17 January 1961) was a Congolese politician and independence leader who served as the first Prime Minister of the independent Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Republic of the Congo) from June until September 1960. He played a significant role in the transformation of the Congo from a colony of Belgium into an independent republic. Ideologically an African nationalist and pan-Africanist, he led the Congolese National Movement (MNC) party from 1958 until his assassination.

Ngongo Lutete' (or Ngongo Lutete) was a Congolese leader and chieftain during the late 19th century.

Lambert Mende Omalanga (born 11 february 1953) is the former minister of communications of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is best known for saying that an overturned fuel truck that exploded and killed 230 people was trying to overtake a bus, but is also famous for saying 80 died when a boat overturned. He was born near Lodja, Sankuru.

Jean-Michel Kibushi Ndjate Wooto (born 1957), is a Congolese stop-motion animator. He is the pioneer of African animation, and widely considered to be the first Congolese animator.

Jackie Shako Diala Anahengo (23 August 1958 – 15 June 2021) was a Congolese actress. She appeared on Radio-Télévision nationale congolaise, as well as on the theatrical stage.

Rémy Mwamba (1921–1967) was a Congolese politician who twice served as Minister of Justice of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Republic of the Congo). He was also a leading figure of the Association Générale des Baluba du Katanga (BALUBAKAT).

Isaac Kalonji Mutambayi (9 September 1914 – 3 August 2009) was a Congolese Protestant minister and statesman who served as the President of the Senate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1962 until 1965. He was one of the few politicians to serve the country continuously from its independence in 1960 until its democratisation in the 1990s.

Joseph Okito (5 February 1910 – 17 January 1961) was a Congolese politician and close political ally to Patrice Lumumba who briefly served as First Vice-President of the Senate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Republic of the Congo). He was executed alongside Lumumba in Katanga in 1961.

Raymond Tshibanda N'Tungammulong (born 20 November 1950, Lomela, Belgian Congo) is a Congolese diplomat and politician serving as the President of the Liberal Christian Democrats Union, a political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also served as the DRC's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from 2012 to 2016, and currently serves as President Joseph Kabila's special envoy to the United States.