CHAKWERA'S CAMPAIGN PITCH:why Believe New Promises Now?

 

H.E Dr Lazarus Chakwera-President of Republic of Malawi and MCP Sept Candidate 

Malawi's President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, has started his party's campaign in the Eastern Region. He asked people to support him again so he can continue the development work his government began five years ago.

Speaking in Mangochi, President Chakwera listed his government's key achievements. He said his focus has been on uniting the country, social progress, and building infrastructure (like roads and buildings).

He thanked the Eastern Region for voting for him in 2020. He said his government kept its promises by:

● Giving over K11 billion to 19,000 small business owners.

●  Supplying farm materials to over 600,000 farmers.

●Giving relief aid to more than 300,000 households in the region.

Chakwera also said his government increased the money given to each local area (Constituency Development Fund - CDF) to K220 million to speed up local projects.

He explained his party's main goals: ensuring enough food for everyone, creating jobs and wealth, improving how the country is run, and making public services better.

A senior party official, Richard Chimwendo Banda, praised the President. He listed new developments in the Eastern Region, including council offices, roads, a health center, and a stadium.

This Mangochi event follows other campaign launches in Lilongwe, Mzimba, and Ngabu.

#Source : MW Govt

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"JOURNALISM NOT A CRIME "-MISA MW

MISA Malawi has strongly condemned supporters of former President Peter Mutharika for violently disrupting live media coverage during his presidential nomination in Lilongwe on Friday. DPP party followers blocked cameras, grabbed journalists’ equipment, and forced broadcasters to halt live feeds — an act MISA calls "an attack on media freedom" and citizens’ right to election information. 

The incident happened at the Bingu Convention Centre in Lilongwe. Followers of Mutharika's DPP party caused trouble, blocking cameras and even grabbing equipment from journalists. One supporter, Sameer Suleman, forcefully took lighting equipment from the Nation newspaper, claiming it was disturbing Mutharika.

Because of this, journalists had to suddenly stop their live broadcasts to protect themselves and their equipment.MISA Malawi says this behaviour is wrong because:

1.  It attacks media freedom.

2.  It stops Malawian people from getting true information about important election events, like this nomination.

MISA Malawi asks the DPP and all other political parties to control their supporters and stop such actions. They say these actions harm the parties' image and break basic rights.

MISA Malawi urges all parties and their supporters to let journalists cover election events safely and freely. They remind everyone that "Journalism is not a crime."

The statement was signed by MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

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#Source :MISA Malawi | July 26, 2025

NIGERIAN CATHOLIC PRIEST FREED AFTER 51 DAYS HELD BY BOKO HARAM

By Chief admin

MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA – On July 23, 2025  Father Alphonsus Afina, a Nigerian priest once based in Alaska, is safe and free after being held captive by the terrorist group Boko Haram for 51 days.

Father Afina was captured in June while working in the Diocese of Maiduguri in Borno State, Nigeria. Before returning to Nigeria, he served for six and a half years in the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Last month, the Fairbanks Diocese asked people worldwide to pray for Father Afina's release and strength during his captivity.

On July 21st, the Fairbanks Diocese shared joyful news on Facebook: "Praise God! We received word today that [Father] Alphonsus Afina is unharmed and has been safely released! Thank you to all who have been storming heaven for him." They also asked for continued prayers for others still held captive.

The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need confirmed Father Afina spent 51 days as a hostage. Bishop John Bakeni, an assistant bishop in Maiduguri, told the charity that Father Afina is now free.

Bishop Bakeni said the priest is "a bit frail and tired" but is "in good health" and emotionally stable. The church is arranging medical checkups and rest for him, and he will soon see his family.

The Bishop called Father Afina's release "a true miracle," crediting prayers and the help of the Virgin Mary.

Aid to the Church in Need also reported that Father Afina was freed alongside ten women who were held captive with him.

#Source :CNA

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PDP PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES BRIDGE,HOSPITAL AND ROAD PROJECTS IN MULANJE

BY Chief Admin 

Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa has pledged a new bridge, hospital, and upgraded roads to boost development in Chief Mabuka’s area.  

During a visit to Mamela village on Monday, Nankhumwa inspected progress on a modern bridge over the Luchenza River. He stated the bridge will "help with transportation problems" faced by residents.

Nankhumwa also announced:A new hospital to improve healthcare access,Paving and electrifying the Thabwa-to-Misanjo road.  

Violet Magalasi, a Mamela villager, welcomed the bridge, saying it will solve "challenges when crossing the river."  

Misanjo area, previously in Mulanje South constituency, is now part of Mulanje Central after boundary changes.  

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UTM PARTY CONFIRMS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOIN DEBATES

BY Chief Admin 

The UTM party has announced its presidential candidate, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, will take part in all three upcoming presidential debates scheduled for August and September 2025.

This commitment came after a meeting yesterday (Tuesday, July 22) in Lilongwe between the UTM party and the Presidential Debates Task Force. UTM Vice President for the Central Region, Hellen Chabunya, stated clearly: 

"Our candidate has always been ready for the debates. We will participate in all three debates."

Golden Matonga, Chairperson of the Task Force, welcomed UTM's decision. He urged other political parties to also promise to join the debates, calling them "critical in fostering robust dialogue on the best ideas to take this country forward."

The Task Force, chaired by MISA Malawi with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI), is a non-partisan group including media, civil society, and other organizations. They have already met with leaders of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), People’s Party (PP), Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and the United Democratic Front (UDF) to encourage their participation.

The Task Force successfully organized presidential debates for the 2014 and 2019 elections.

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MW PRESIDENT CHAKWERA UNVEILS MAJOR PLANS IN NEW MANIFESTO

 

Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have revealed their election promises. The plan includes ten big ideas aimed at improving lives and developing the country.Below are the key promises:

1.Money for Every Newborn: Every child born in Malawi will get a special savings account with K500,000 (half a million kwacha) to start. They can use this money when they turn 18 for education, starting a business, or buying a home.

2.Millions of New Jobs: The MCP promises to create 3 million good jobs within five years. This will happen by investing in farming, building roads and bridges, tourism, mining, and factories. Young people and women will be a big focus.

3.Support for Business Starters: 10,000 Malawian entrepreneurs will each receive K10 million to grow their businesses. This "Ten-Ten Challenge" aims to create jobs and build wealth.

4. Better Public Toilets: All schools, markets, and public places will get proper flush toilets. This is part of a plan to improve cleanliness and dignity nationwide.

5.Bank for Youth & Women:The National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) will become a full bank. It will focus on giving fair and helpful loans to businesses run by young people and women.

6.Healthcare Closer to Home:More health clinics will be built. The goal is that no Malawian will have to walk more than 5 kilometers for basic healthcare by 2030.

7.Cheaper Fertilizer & Big Farms:The program for affordable fertilizer (AIP) will continue and be improved. Large "mega farms" will be developed. The aim is for Malawi to produce all its own food by 2030, without needing imports.

8.Directly Elected Mayors: Citizens will vote directly for mayors in cities and towns. These mayors will have real power and budgets to improve local services.

9.Young Leaders in Government:At least four government ministers will be under 35 years old. Young people will also have more say in other public service decisions.

10.The "Chakwera Masterplan": A large national plan promises 72 new public services across 24 areas. This includes internet in all public schools, new universities, one irrigation project per agricultural zone, electricity for health centres, a national digital ID system, and better support for people with disabilities.

These promises form the MCP's plan for Malawi's future if President Chakwera wins re-election. The party describes them as bold steps to fight poverty, create jobs, and build a better nation.

86 YEAR OLD UGANDAN DEPUTY PM SEEKS RE-ELECTION AFTER 50+ IN AUGUST HOUSE

86-Year-Old Ugandan Deputy PM Seeks Re-election After 50+ Years in Parliament

KAMPALA, UGANDA– Moses Ali, Uganda's 86-year-old Deputy Prime Minister and long-serving Member of Parliament (MP), has announced he will run for re-election in the 2026 general elections.

Mr. Ali wants to keep his seat in Uganda's national Parliament. The elections are scheduled for January 12, 2026.

He currently holds the important position of Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda.

His political career is remarkable for its length. Moses Ali has been a member of Uganda's Parliament continuously since 1973. This means he has served as an MP for over 50 years.

If re-elected next year, the 86-year-old will continue his long service representing his constituents and serving in the Ugandan government.

#Source: Zambias report

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GOVERNMENT BOARD MEMBERS MUST QUIT BY JULY 23 TO RUN IN ELECTIONS

 

Government board members of state-owned companies and statutory bodies must resign by July 23rd if they wish to stand in the upcoming elections, Controller of Statutory Corporations Peter Simbani announced today. 

Simbani stated this requirement is mandated by the country's electoral laws. 

The move has received backing from the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT), whose Executive Director Willy Kambwandira described the deadline as key for holding public officers accountable and ensuring fairness during the election process.

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NAMADINGO ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BUILD HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN MALAWI

Popular Malawian musician Namadingo has announce plans to construct a new hospital in the remote Chitipa District.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Namadingo declared: "I have Decided to construct a hospital on the Chitipa-Nthalire stretch."

Namadingo said his motivation comes directly from the success of his previous community project. "[I am] driven & inspired by what we have been able to do at Wataka Primary School in Maching he wrote.

The successful renovation and support provided to Wataka Primary School in Machinga has given him confidence to tackle larger projects nationwide."I now believe we can do more all over Malawi," his statement concluded.

Many Malawians know Namadingo for his music and his hands-on approach to community development. His work at Wataka Primary School involved direct involvement in renovations and resource provision. His followers will be watching closely for further details on the hospital project.

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A GLOBAL LEADER IN SWEET POTATO PRODUCTION

Malawi is the world's second-largest Sweet potato producer, with 7,449,972 tonnes, and first in acreage(2,197,319).The country produces an average of 8 Million MTs annually.

Malawi proudly holds the position of the second-largest sweet potato producer in the world, following China. In 2022, the country achieved a remarkable production volume of 8.05 million metric tonnes, surpassing other major producers like Tanzania and Nigeria  .

With over 330,000 hectares dedicated to sweet potato cultivation, Malawi not only leads in Africa but also ranks among the top globally in terms of acreage . This extensive cultivation underscores the crop's significance in the nation's agriculture.

Sweet potatoes are more than just a staple food in Malawi; they are integral to the country's food security and economic development. Initiatives like the introduction of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, rich in Vitamin A, aim to combat malnutrition and promote health among the population.

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𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗜, 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗜 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗕𝗖 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣

Two leading media watchdog groups in Malawi have called on the state-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to guarantee balanced and impartial reporting during the upcoming election period.

MISA Malawi and the Media Council of Malawi (MCM) held talks with MBC leadership on Thursday, emphasizing the broadcaster's legal duty under the Communications Act of 2016 to inform the public "fairly, equitably, and transparently" on electoral matters.  

The media bodies stressed that MBC as the publicly funded national broadcaster must regain public trust by ensuring all news and programs provide equal opportunities for diverse political voices. They specifically urged MBC to feature balanced political commentary across its opinion shows and recommended that the Director General refrain from participating in such programs to safeguard the broadcaster’s neutrality on contentious issues like elections.

"Balance and fairness are non-negotiable," the groups asserted, highlighting that MBC’s coverage must create "a level playing field" for political discourse.  

In response, MBC leadership committed to fair election coverage and announced concrete steps: new programs allowing all political parties to present their agendas, and the deployment of recently hired district reporters to broaden election reporting nationwide. However, MBC also raised significant concerns. The corporation reported "politically motivated attacks" on its journalists and called on MISA and MCM to strengthen efforts to protect its staff.

MBC further expressed frustration that some news sources deliberately exclude its reporters when seeking diverse perspectives, potentially undermining its mandate.  

This meeting forms part of a broader push by MISA Malawi and MCM to engage all Malawian media houses ahead of elections, emphasizing professionalism and impartiality. The outcome is critical for Malawi’s democracy, as MBC’s reach and influence make its adherence to fair reporting standards vital for an informed electorate.Both watchdog groups pledged continued monitoring of all media throughout the electoral.   

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