The United Transformation Movement (UTM) has expelled its former president, Dr. Michael Usi, with immediate effect for actions that it says have undermined the party’s unity and integrity.
Through a press statement, the party’s Publicity Secretary Felix Njawala says the decision of firing Dr. Usi follows a disciplinary hearing the party held on December 30, 2024, in Lilongwe.
The Party states that Dr. Usi engaged in actions that provoked divisions within the UTM and showed support for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), a rival political organization.
According to the statement, Dr. Usi was found guilty of actions that provoked division within the Party by mobilizing UTM supporters to attend a government function in UTM regalia despite the dissolution of the UTM-MCP alliance.
“Dr. Usi mobilized UTM supporters to attend a government function while wearing UTM regalia and displaying Party symbols, despite the formal termination of the political alliance between UTM and MCP,” reads part of the statement.
Furthermore, the statement states that during voter registration events in Mwanza District, Dr. Usi, who is the country’s vice president reportedly endorsed the MCP government by using its slogan, “Boma ndi Lomweli,” a clear violation of the UTM Constitution.
“During voter registration whistle-stops in Mwanza District, Dr. Usi publicly endorsed the MCP government by using its slogan, “Boma ndi Lomwe,” thereby violating Article 22(8)(k) of the UTM Constitution, which prohibits supporting or joining political organizations not in alliance with UTM,” reads the statement.
Dr. Usi, however, did not appear before the Disciplinary Committee to respond to the allegations.
He reportedly communicated through his legal counsel that he did not recognize the authority of the disciplinary process, citing concerns about the legitimacy of the committee members.
Usi recently claimed that the committee members were elected at an illegal general elective convention which was held on 17 November 2024 and elected Dr. Dalitso Kabambe as the party’s new president.
The UTM has stated that it remains committed to upholding its values and principles, including unity, integrity, and loyalty to the party’s vision, emphasizing that members who act contrary to these principles will be held accountable to safeguard the collective interests of the Party.
Usi has been advised to cease identifying himself as a member of UTM in any capacity.
Dr. Usi is yet to react to the expulsion.
Dr. Usi ascended to the position of the party’s president following the death of its founder and the country’s former vice president Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima who died on 10 June 2024 in a plane crash together with other eight people.
Dr. Usi was also appointed the country’s vice president following Chilima’s death.
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