Honourable
Atupele Austin Muluzi
MP
Muluzi in 2018
Minister of Health
Assumed office
23 June 2016
PresidentPeter Mutharika
Succeeded byLazarus Chakwera
Member of Parliament
for Machinga North East
Assumed office
2004
Personal details
Born (1978-08-06) 6 August 1978
Lilongwe, Malawi
Political partyUnited Democratic Front
Spouse
​
(m. 2013)​
RelationsBakili Muluzi (father)
Annie Chidzira Muluzi (mother)
Children2
Alma materUniversity of Leicester (BA)
University of Law
ProfessionPolitician
CabinetMinister of Health

Atupele Muluzi (born 6 August 1978) is a Malawian politician, businessman and was a Member of Parliament for Machinga North East constituency from 2004 until May 27, 2019. He is also the President of the United Democratic Front and was a presidential candidate during the 2019 election.[1] He was a running mate in the 2020 presidential elections, on a coalition ticket with incumbent President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party. Muluzi was Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining from 2014 to 2015 and the only opposition member to serve in the Mutharika administration.[2] Subsequently, he served as Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in 2015, and then Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in 2015. He is currently Minister of Health. He is the son of the former president Bakili Muluzi.

Early life

Muluzi was born in 1978 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe to Bakili Muluzi and Annie Chidzira Muluzi.[1] He attended Eastridge (in Harare, Zimbabwe), Saint Andrews International High School in Blantyre and Bentham Grammar School in Yorkshire, England, where he became its head boy. He studied Economics and Law at the University of Leicester, and at the University of Law in London, United Kingdom.

Political career

He was first elected to parliament in 2004 and continued to represent the Machinga North East constituency until May 27, 2019, when he lost elections as MP and presidential candidate. He campaigned on a new beginning.[3]

A fierce critic of President Bingu wa Mutharika, he was arrested on 20 February 2012 on his way to a political rally where he was expected to address supporters.[4] He was stopped by the police at a road block, where he was questioned and told that he did not have proper permits to hold a public meeting.[5] However permission had been granted prior to the meeting.[6] Muluzi was later arrested for inciting violence and charged for disobeying notification of a district commissioner.[7] The police attacked the crowds, throwing teargas at them to disperse the rally. This incited the crowd to protest against the police and burn down a police station and surrounding police cars. Less than two weeks after Muluzi's release, President Mutharika died.

President Joyce Banda took over the reins of power and appointed Muluzi as Minister of Economic Planning and Development in her administration. He resigned after some senior members of the ruling party verbally attacked him at a political rally due to his position as the leader of an opposition party. After resigning, he began to focus on his career as the leader of his party.[8][9]

In June 2014, Muluzi was appointed by President Peter Mutharika as Minister of Natural Resources, Energy, and Mining.[10] He was moved to the post of Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security on 10 April 2015.[11] He was again moved, this time to the post of Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, in August 2015.[12]

After a court decision overturned the 2019 presidential election in Malawi, Muluzi formed a coalition with President Mutharika to be his running mate in the 2020 presidential elections.[13]

Personal life

He is the son of Bakili Muluzi, Malawi's second President, and Annie Chidzira Muluzi, Malawi's former first lady. In November 2013, he married Angela Zachepa and they have two children.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 "PP's meeting discuss Atupele's age: Muluzi says baby born 78". Nyasa Times. 31 January 2013. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013.
  2. ↑ "Atupele in Mutharika's 20 member cabinet". The Maravi Post. 22 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  3. ↑ Atupele Muluzi Vision 2014 on Vimeo. Vimeo.com (6 October 2011).
  4. ↑ Opposition Malawi Lawmaker Arrested for Torching Police Station. Voice of America.com (19 March 2012).
  5. ↑ BBC News – Atupele Muluzi arrested after Malawi riots. BBC. (20 March 2012).
  6. ↑ Malawi: Ex-President's Son Arrested After Unrest. allAfrica.com (20 March 2012).
  7. ↑ Atupele appeals for calm in Malawi Malawi breaking news in Malawi Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Nyasa Times.
  8. ↑ Malawi ruling PP gurus attack Muluzi at JB’s Mangochi rally Malawi breaking news in Malawi Archived 15 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Nyasa Times. (10 November 2012).
  9. ↑ Atupele Muluzi statement on his resignation from Malawi cabinet Malawi breaking news in Malawi Archived 25 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Nyasa Times.
  10. ↑ "Malawi's president completes cabinet", AFP, 23 June 2014.
  11. ↑ Thom Chiumia, "Malawi Pres. Mutharika reshuffles cabinet: Muluzi, Msaka, Chibingu moved" Archived 14 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Nyasa Times, 10 April 2015.
  12. ↑ Thom Chiumia, "Nankhumwa, Muluzi demoted in Malawi cabinet protocol rank" Archived 23 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Nyasa Times, 19 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Malawi president files for election rerun with ex-leader's son". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  14. ↑ "Atupele weds Zachepa". faceofmalawi.com. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
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