By Burnett Munthali
The UTM Party has been called upon to ensure a level playing field ahead of its highly anticipated national elective conference set for November 2024. This call comes from governance and political expert Wonderful Mkhutche, who emphasized the importance of fairness as the party gears up for what is expected to be a competitive contest for its presidency.
Mkhutche’s remarks come amid growing interest from several prominent figures looking to vie for the UTM’s top position. Among those speculated to contest are former Energy Minister Newton Kambala, former Reserve Bank Governor Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, and Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka, a former business executive. With a diverse pool of candidates expressing interest, Mkhutche described the upcoming convention as unique.
“This is different from other major political parties in Malawi, such as the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and People’s Party (PP), where the incumbents went unopposed. UTM is showcasing a healthy internal democracy, but it is essential to ensure that every candidate has a fair chance,” Mkhutche said in an interview with MIJ Online.
He further highlighted that for UTM to emerge stronger after the convention, the leadership must create an environment that promotes transparency and equity, allowing all aspirants to freely present their visions for the party and the nation.
Meanwhile, UTM spokesperson Felix Njalawa responded to the concerns, assuring that the party’s leadership is committed to a fair and democratic process. Njalawa noted that UTM aims to select a leader capable of addressing Malawi’s pressing issues and steering the country toward development.
“We understand the gravity of this process, and the party is focused on choosing someone who not only represents the values of UTM but also has the capacity to lead Malawi effectively,” Njalawa told MIJ Online.
As the November 2024 elective conference approaches, all eyes will be on UTM to see how it handles the internal race for leadership, and whether the outcome will reflect its commitment to internal democracy. The result will likely set the tone for UTM’s strategy in the national political arena ahead of the next general elections
