This has sent a signal that perhaps the party is disjointed. UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliyati only said she was outside Lilongwe hence could not attend the event.

But speaking after the ceremony UTM patron Noel Masangwi dismissed that the party is divided, saying some members were busy sorting out things that were used at the funeral of their leader the late Dr. Saulos Chilima.

Meanwhile vice president Dr.Michael Usi has pledged to work with president Chakwera to compliment his dream of making Malawi self-reliant and resilient to produce for itself and fight eventualities.

Dr. Usi said this today in Lilongwe at parliament building where he took oath of office replacing late Saulos Chilima who died last week in a plane crash alongside eight other people.

He has also revealed about a plan to call for a national executive meeting of the UTM party to share some of the issues he discussed with President Chakwera before his appointment.