By Kelly Napolo:
UTM has officially set its party convention for November 17, 2024, at a location yet to be determined.
The party’s publicity secretary, Felix Njawala, made the announcement at a press briefing held in Blantyre Tuesday.
During the briefing, Njawala called on all party members with ambitions to stand for positions to come forward and declare their intentions.
He also called for discipline and order among members as they campaign ahead of the convention.
“We believe in democracy and are giving an equal opportunity to everyone who wants to participate in the convention,” Njawala said.
He added that UTM’s unity and image depend on respectful and orderly conduct during “this crucial period.”
During the briefing, the party’s secretary-general, Patricia Kaliati, advised UTM members against attending government functions in UTM-branded attire.
Kaliati made this statement while clarifying the party’s current stance on political alliances.
“We are not in any alliance with any other party at the moment,” Kaliati said, apparently reinforcing last month’s announcement that the party had exited the Tonse Alliance, where it was one of the main partners alongside Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
However, some observers have criticised Kaliati’s remarks, arguing that UTM members, as part of the government led by President Lazarus Chakwera, have the right to wear their party’s attire at any time and place.
Political commentator George Chaima said the government is an institution belonging to the people, irrespective of party affiliation.
“When she speaks about UTM members, every individual in UTM-branded clothes is a Malawian and has the right to wear that attire and attend any government function, as UTM members are also members of the government,” Chaima said.
Recently, some UTM members were seen accompanying the party’s president, who is now the Vice President, Michael Usi, to welcome Chakwera at the airport upon his return from a foreign trip.
The party has been facing internal disputes regarding Usi’s commitment, with some officials accusing him of being more aligned with the MCP.
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