Vera Kamtukule Loses MCP Primaries to Ex-Mayor Juliana Kaduya
Published on April 28, 2025 at 11:01 AM by Evance Kapito
Malawi’s Minister of Tourism, Vera Kamtukule, has conceded defeat in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections for the Lilongwe City Masintha Constituency.
The race was won by former Lilongwe Mayor Juliana Kaduya, who secured 554 votes, while Kamtukule received 208 votes.
Other candidates in the race included Ireen Chimdzeka(131 votes), Lydia Ngondo (4 votes), and Frank Mndala (1 vote).
Kamtukule, who currently serves as the area’s Member of Parliament (MP), took to Facebook to acknowledge her loss and congratulate Kaduya.
“Just to inform you all that I lost the primary elections today for the Lilongwe City Masintha Constituency. Hon. Juliana Kaduya won, and I hereby congratulate her on this success,” she wrote.
She further pledged to work with Kaduya to develop the constituency and mobilize support for President Lazarus Chakwera ahead of the September 2025 general elections.
“I pledge to work with her in developing the area from now moving forward as we also garner support from the urban youth for His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s victory in the forthcoming general elections,” she added.
Kamtukule, who initially belonged to the UTM Party, joined the MCP following the collapse of the Tonse Alliance after the death of Vice President Saulos Chilima.
Her shift to the MCP was seen as a strategic move to strengthen her political standing but received backlash from UTM supporters..
Despite her loss, Kamtukule remains a key figure in Chakwera’s administration as Tourism Minister. Meanwhile, Juliana Kaduya, a seasoned politician and former mayor, is now set to represent the MCP in the Lilongwe City Masintha Constituency in the 2025 elections.
