According to UTM President Dr. Michael Usi, the party remains firmly within the Tonse Alliance alongside MCP, despite the reckless actions of the party’s misguided Secretary General Patricia Kaliati and the disgruntled Publicity Secretary, Felix Njawala, who unilaterally declared UTM’s exit from the alliance—a move both illegal and baseless.
This very scenario illustrates why the late Dr. Saulos Chilima never saw leadership potential in Kaliati and Njawala, instead entrusting Dr. Usi. Kaliati, now embattled as the beleaguered Secretary General of UTM, is brazenly acting as though she is the party’s president. Her audacity was on full display when she attended the DPP convention without the approval of Dr. Usi—an act of insubordination and betrayal at the highest level.
If the roles were reversed, with Kaliati as President and Usi as Secretary General, gender activists would likely cry foul, attributing such disrespect to male chauvinism. But in this case, Kaliati herself, rather than showing deference to Usi, behaves with the disregard of a person utterly detached from reason. One might suspect she harbors ambitions of the presidency, but even she knows her limitations. Instead, her loyalties lie with Thyolo’s Dalitso Kabambe, whom she seems to back for UTM’s leadership. What does she hope to gain? Perhaps a ministerial position in some far-fetched alliance government with UTM as a junior partner.
Yet, despite her erratic behavior, she could easily secure a ministerial role today. Her antics, however, stem from her underestimation of Dr. Usi. But Kaliati should remember that Dr. Usi has nothing to lose—he has already achieved more than he ever dreamed, from humble beginnings to the vice presidency, with a secure financial future guaranteed by government pension.
Why fight a battle against someone who has already secured his future? Instead of seizing the ministerial position that could have been hers, Kaliati is foolishly letting go of the certain advantage in pursuit of an unlikely prize. UTM stood to benefit from another alliance with MCP in 2025, as MCP is poised to secure the majority vote on its own, with UTM riding the coattails to remain in government. But due to Kaliati’s lack of political acumen and foresight, UTM risks being relegated to the opposition next year. This would spell the death of UTM—a demise driven by the shortsightedness of a Secretary General who believes she owns the party. When they finally realize the extent of their blunder in 2025, it will be too late; the opportunity will have passed, and UTM will be consigned to oblivion. You may dismiss this as mere propaganda, but at least you can say you were warned of the impending disaster.
