Atupele Muluzi

Muluzi was born in 1978 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe.[1] He attended Eastridge (in Harare, Zimbabwe), Saint Andrews International High School in Blantyre and Bentham Grammar School in Yorkshire, England (since absorbed by Sedbergh School) where he became its head boy. He studied Economics and Law at the University of Leicester, and the College of Law in London, United Kingdom. He is believed to be a lawyer by training although it is rumoured he did not complete his law studies.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5] 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.[6] However permission had been granted prior to the meeting.[7] Muluzi was later arrested for inciting violence and charged for disobeying notification of a district commissioner.[8] 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.[9][10]

In June 2014, Muluzi was appointed by President Peter Mutharika as Minister of Natural Resources, Energy, and Mining.[11] He was moved to the post of Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security on 10 April 2015.[12] He was again moved, this time to the post of Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, in August 2015.[13]

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.[14]

He is the son of Bakili Muluzi, Malawi's second President. The name Atupele was given to him by Malawi's first President Hastings Banda.[1] In November 2013, he married Angela Zachepa and they have two children.[15]