In a surprising turn of events, deep-seated divisions have emerged among Catholic bishops as the UTM prepares for its anticipated maiden elective conference.
Sources within the church reveal a growing conflict between two primary camps: Blantyre-based camp led by Archbishop Bishop Thomas Msusa supporting former Reserve Bank Governor Dalitso Kabambe, and Karonga-based camp led by Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, favoring the Bishop’s relative Dr Mathews Mtumbuka.
Archbishop Msusa is reportedly mobilizing support within the church for his preferred candidate. According to insiders, Msusa was instrumental in inviting Kabambe as the guest of honor at a recent fundraising dinner, where Kabambe made headlines by pledging K17 million. “Archbishop Msusa is favouring Kabambe and is actively rallying support for him,” an insider noted.
Shire Times is well-informed about DPP’s plan to capture UTM through Kabambe who is a direct cousin of professor Peter Mutharika. Our intel reveal that Kabambe has been deployed as DPP proxy in a scheme to marshal UTM support into DPP fold. According to their scheme, if Kabambe succeeds in winning the party’s leadership at the convention, Mutharika will make him a running mate in a coalition arrangement.
Conversely, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka is advocating for his relation, Dr. Mathews Mtumbuka, describing him as a visionary who understands the importance of aligning UTM with modern technological advancements. “Bishop Mtumbuka sees his brother as someone who represents the future,” stated a source close to the bishop, adding that the Bishop believes that “Mathews could bring a fresh perspective that resonates with Malawi’s youth and the educated class”.
The UTM has already faced internal strife following the tragic death of its founding leader, Saulos Chilima, and the bishops’ contrasting endorsements further complicate the leadership race. Political analyst Thompson Kaunjika shared insights on the potential impact of this division among Catholic bishops. “When influential church leaders engage in party politics, they send a powerful message to their followers,” he explained, emphasizing the notable influence of the Catholic Church in Malawi.
Kaunjika cautioned that these divided endorsements could polarize the faithful, undermining the historical stance of the Catholic Church to remain above direct partisan politics. “The Catholic Church has often advocated for justice and economic reforms but has typically maintained neutrality in political contests. This open support for specific candidates could fracture that neutrality and alienate members seeking a more disengaged approach,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, State Vice President and current UTM leader, Dr. Michael Usi, has opted not to file nomination papers for the convention, citing concerns of flouting constitutional provisions in the organization of the event.
