By Edwin Mauluka
In his final rally before the September 16 elections, UTM president and presidential candidate Dalitso Kabambe fired shots at what he called Malawi’s “arrogant leaders,” accusing them of enriching themselves while ordinary people suffer and he urged voters to remember the vision of the party’s late founder, Saulos Chilima.
Addressing supporters at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre, Kabambe said Chilima embodied patriotic leadership and selfless love for Malawi. He reminded the crowd that Chilima envisioned a nation where citizens could succeed without being weighed down by tribalism, cronyism, and favoritism. These faults, Kabambe observed, define the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and its main rival, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
“They go into politics very poor; once voted into power, they become very rich,” Kabambe charged. “All former and incumbent presidents are on the list of the richest people. It is through corruption, nothing else.”
Kabambe said UTM was committed to uprooting these vices. “Today, we are happy to take over the values of Saulos Chilima, and we resolve to move forward to end corruption and arrogance so Malawi can grow,” he declared, echoing Chilima’s famous rallying cry “never surrender” and his readiness to die for the Malawian flag.
“We will not fear, nor be tired. We will move forward, and Malawians shall vote for us to help develop the country,” Kabambe told the crowd.
Positioning himself as a seasoned economist and problem solver, Kabambe promised immediate action to stabilise the kwacha once in office. “The fix will reduce commodity prices, cut fertiliser costs to below K50,000 per bag, and give farmers the ability to harvest more than once a year through mechanised farming,” he said.
He pledged K500 billion to mechanised agriculture, arguing this would ensure food security and reduce Malawi’s reliance on imports. He also announced K100 billion per district to fund social services such as schools, roads, electricity, and water.
On job creation, Kabambe said his government would invest another K500 billion in the mining sector, creating well-paying jobs comparable to those Malawians currently seek in South Africa. “Once we stabilise the economy, government shall be able to provide real development projects that touch people’s lives,” he added.
Kabambe launched pointed attacks on former presidents Joyce Banda, Peter Mutharika, and incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, accusing them of leaving Malawians with a high cost of living and a collapsing economy. “Avoid the mistake of voting them back,” he warned.
He also accused Chakwera and Mutharika of disrespecting voters by skipping both presidential debates. Banda attended one, while Kabambe himself attended both. “They lacked the courage and ideas to present a vision for the country. Don’t vote for arrogant people,” he said.
Kabambe reassured supporters that despite Chilima’s death in June last year, UTM remained strong and united. He urged voters to back all 170 UTM parliamentary candidates and more than 400 local government candidates, saying only a strong UTM presence in government would deliver the sweeping reforms the country needs.
