Atupele speaks tough on assets declaration, promises to depoliticize Unima: ‘UDF to dislodge PP in Malawi 2014 polls’
United Democratic Front (UDF) 2014 presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi told thousands of supporters in the eastern city of Zomba on Sunday that his party will dislodge the People’s Party (PP) administration in 2014 tripartite elections and change the manner government is run.
Atupele, on a whistle-stop tour from Chiradzulu’s TA Chitela, to Zomba Thondwe constituency at Dzaone and then Zomba City at Mponda Freedom Park, said Malawi would clock 50 years of independence next year, which is an election year, but many people are poor.
He said the Malawi economy is ailing because of poor leadership, saying he will form “a government of all talents” with an emphasis on applying his agenda for change
The UDF leader revealed that the party is going to discuss his proposal that as President and as one way of de-politicising public institutions, he will not accept to serve as Chancellor of the University of Malawi (Unima) “in line with modern best practice”.
There was a huge applause from the crowds where the students from the Chancellor College were a part of the audience.
“To ensure that the University of Malawi is free from political interference, it is my proposal that, as President of the Republic I will not accept to serve as Chancellor of the University of Malawi,” Atupele.
This was probably a direct response to calls from the academic community to depoliticize the University after the infamous academic freedom saga that affected the Unima in 2010 and also to deter future political interference.
The Machinga North legislator also stated that all public appointments will be based on merit as opposed to political patronage.
As if this was not enough the UDF presidential candidate emphasised the need for “greater transparency and accountability amongst public officials.”
Atupele went further to say he will lead by example, saying he is ready to be audited with respect to his assets even before he assumes the presidency.
He further explained that need to do so is necessitated by the link of declaring assets to corruption.
“I want Malawians to know what I have before I become Head of State and what I have upon leaving office,” said Atupele.
He emphasised that Malawians have the right to know the assets of their leaders and said that he will not allow speculation on this matter when the right thing to do is to declare one’s assets.
Before the rally at Zomba, at TA Chitera’s headquarters, regional governor for the party’s Sapitwa region, George Mpombwe introduced renowned marketer Mathews Ngwale as one of the aspirants for Parliamentary elections for Chiradzulu West.
Atupele informed the crowds that; inclusive growth and job, governance, social protection, peace and security are the four pillars that underpin on a new agenda for change in Malawi.
He assured that once voted into power, his administration will look into various sectors such as health, agriculture and education to correct things.
Earlier in the day PP supporters in Zomba reportedly pulled down the UDF flags in a bid distablise the rally.
