Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) hopes of riding on the UTM to come back to power during the general elections scheduled for September 16, 2025 are hitting a snag. The party has been trying to court the UTM, through its newly elected President Dr Dalitso Kabambe for a possible alliance.
One of the prominent figures in Malawian politics Samuel Lwara revealed recently that DPP’s Arthur Peter Mutharika, who is an uncle to Kabambe has been making advances towards his nephew taking advantage of the relationship between the two.
“As I am talking now it seems this is a very impossible undertaking for the DPP. Kabambe has openly told Mutharika that it is not possible especially considering how the DPP treated late Saulosi Klaus Chilima when he was Vice President of the country under DPP,” he said.
Lwara also revealed that Kabambe fears that any attempts to go into an alliance with the DPP will backfire within the UTM membership as most of them will feel vindicated following the initial reservation on his joining of UTM whereby many expressed fears that he was sent by the DPP to steal the party and take it back to Mutharika. The DPP still harbors the feeling that the UTM was formed out of DPP and regards it as their own.
However, reports from inside the UTM have shown that Kabambe has rejected the proposal mainly after sensing that UTM supporters are not in support of such a move.
The rejection has set feats of anger amongst DPP supporters who lately have set their guns ablaze towards Kabambe.
An analysis of social media platforms reveals a significant divide among UTM supporters regarding the possibility of an alliance with the DPP. Many express strong reservations, fearing that such a coalition could undermine the UTM’s identity and core principles. Concerns are particularly pronounced around the idea that figures like Kabambe, if integrated into the UTM, might act as proxies for the DPP, potentially destabilizing the movement from within.
One UTM supporter, posting on Facebook said the prospect of an alliance between the two is likely to raise further intense debate within Malawi’s political landscape. He said while alliances can often be strategic moves to consolidate support and strengthen electoral chances, the potential DPP-UTM coalition is likely to face significant hurdles rooted in historical tensions, leadership rivalries, and public sentiment.
He wrote: “To begin with the UTM’s formation is deeply intertwined with its founder, the late Dr. Saulos Chilima’s fallout with the DPP. As former Vice President under APM, Chilima grew increasingly disillusioned with the DPP’s leadership style, governance approach, and internal power struggles.
“His departure was marked by sharp criticisms of the DPP’s alleged corruption, nepotism, and failure to implement meaningful reforms. This bitter split laid a foundation of mistrust that still lingers among UTM members and supporters,” he said.
Another UTM supporter said the manner in which prominent figures like Dr. Dalitso Kabambe left the DPP adds another layer of complexity. “Kabambe’s exit was perceived by some as a strategic move influenced by internal party politics, raising suspicions about his political motives and loyalties. These perceptions contribute to skepticism within the UTM about any rapprochement with the DPP.”
Most social media discussions highlight fears of a “Trojan Horse” scenario, where DPP-affiliated individuals could influence UTM’s strategic direction, compromising its reformist agenda. Hashtags and posts reflecting sentiments like #NoToDPPAlliance and #ProtectUTMIdentity demonstrate the depth of resistance among the grassroots.
Beyond personal rivalries, the ideological divergence between the two parties presents another challenge. The UTM positions itself as a progressive movement advocating for transparency, accountability, and youth empowerment—principles that many of its supporters believe are fundamentally at odds with the DPP’s track record during its time in power.
Efforts to bridge these ideological gaps would require not just political negotiations but also a clear, transparent communication strategy to address the concerns of party members and the general public. Without such efforts, any alliance risks being perceived as opportunistic rather than principled.
While party leaders might view an alliance through the lens of electoral mathematics, grassroots loyalty cannot be underestimated. Political alliances that ignore the sentiments of the base often face internal rebellions, voter apathy, or even defections.
Most supporters feel the UTM’s strength has been its passionate supporter base, which values the party’s independence and reformist stance.
“Bringing the DPP into the fold could alienate key segments of UTM supporters, particularly the youth and civil society advocates who view the DPP as emblematic of the old political order they sought to challenge through UTM,” said another UTM supporter with an X handle identified as MingaWaNsomba.
Some senior UTM members have also expressed reservation expressing concern on whether such a coalition will bring any value considering that Kabambe comes from the same area with Mutharika.
The senior member said most UTM followers including the executive members are skeptical of whether there is indeed willingness from the DPP leadership or they just want to use Kabambe, again.
“For any alliance to succeed, both parties would need to engage in genuine dialogue, not just at the leadership level but also with their respective supporters. Transparency about the objectives of the alliance, safeguards to maintain each party’s identity, and clear policy agreements could help mitigate some of the mistrust,” he said.
He added that acknowledging and addressing past grievances openly would be crucial.
“This might involve public reconciliations, joint commitments to specific reforms, and assurances that the alliance is not merely a vehicle for political survival but a genuine partnership aimed at national development,” he said.
Both UTM Spokesperson Felix Njawala and Mutharika’s Shadreck Namalomba could not be drawn to comment on the matter. Njawala said he was not aware of any such advances.
While strategic in the DPP way, the success of a DPP-UTM alliance will hinge on more than just electoral calculations; it will need to be built on a foundation of trust, shared vision, and a sincere commitment to addressing the concerns of the people who matter most—the voters. And this is not something which is in the DPP spirit.
