Newly elected United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders have vowed to strengthen the opposition party ’s structures and campaign massively to drum up support ahead of the September 16 2025 General Elections.
In separate interviews following the announcement of results during the party’s convention at Comesa Hall in Blantyre yesterday, UDF women’s wing president Aisha Mambo, second vice-president Victoria Mponela and secretary general Genarino Lemani said they want the party to become a political powerhouse once again.
Lemani, the son to former UDF member and Cabinet minister Dumbo Lemani, who got 496 votes against contenders Akidu Banda’s 313 and former publicity secretary Ken Ndanga’s 273, said the new team is ready to rebuild the party.
“With the youthful team that we have at the top, we can inspire the youth in the country to support the UDF,” he said.
On her part, Mponela, who amassed 584 votes to defeat Swank Ibrahim, said she will work with all members so that the party should forge ahead with one purpose.
In a separate interview, Mambo Adams, who is also the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, said all NEC members will strive towards taking the UDF into government next year.
Mambo Adams’ election comes weeks after Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara courted controversy for purportedly having too much power as she also serves as first deputy president of the Malawi Congress Party, a key partner in the governing Tonse Alliance.
Out of 24 NEC positions filled at the UDF convention, seven have been taken up by women, including the position of treasurer general which has gone to Yowoyani Mponela Greenwell.
Other women in the NEC include campaign director Esther Jolobala, women wing general secretary Janet Gwaza and research director Aisha Maundara.
The position of publicity secretary went to Dyson Jangiya while Rahim Elias was elected first vice-president after beating incumbent Michael Antoine.
A total of 19 positions were contested while seven including that of president went unopposed.
In his acceptance speech on Wednesday, Atupele, son of former president Bakili Muluzi, said the party will not be under the wing of any other party during the upcoming general elections.
“I am assuring you delegates that I will conduct a massive campaign from Nsanje to Chitipa to get us into government because Malawians want leadership that will serve their interests,” he said.
But in an interview, former UDF director of research Humphrey Mvula said while the party is right to focus on total renewal under the leadership of Muluzi who is able to resonate with the youth, the UDF should seek an alliance partner for the 2025 General Elections.
Representatives of other opposition parties including the Democratic Progressive Party, UTM Party, People’s Democratic Party, National Development Party and Alliance for Democracy attended the UDF convention which started on Wednesday and ended early Thursday.
