New Programme Alert: Master of Laws (LL.M) in Democratic and Economic Governance

As the country’s leading institution of higher learning, the University of Malawi continues to introduce programmes that contribute to national development. Recently added to its portfolio of significant and relevant programmes is the Master of Laws (LL.M) in Democratic and Economic Governance. Officially launched on 12th September 2025 by the Department of Public Law and Clinical Legal Education in the School of Law, Economics and Government, the programme is designed to bridge the gap between law, economics, and governance. With 16 pioneer students already enrolled, this multidisciplinary programme aims to develop a new generation of professionals equipped to address complex governance challenges.

The official launch was presided over by the Dean of the School, Professor Happy Kayuni, who noted that graduates of the programme will be well-prepared to contribute to reforms in both the public and private sectors due to their combined expertise in law, economics, and governance.

Speaking at the event, Professor Redson Kapindu, a High Court Judge and part-time lecturer in the department, encouraged the first cohort to work diligently, underscoring the importance of establishing a strong foundation for the programme’s future. Prof. Kapindu, who was part of the task team that developed the curriculum, explained that the initiative was introduced to address the growing need for legal professionals capable of working across disciplines.

“We have produced strong graduates in areas such as human rights and economics. However, when it comes to the intersection of these fields, there has been a noticeable gap,” he said. “As the country’s mother university, it is our duty to take the lead in closing that gap by introducing this programme.”

The Head of the Department, Dr. Ngcimezile Mweso, described the programme as deliberately inclusive, attracting students from diverse professional backgrounds. She emphasized that this diversity is central to its aim of equipping professionals from different sectors with the skills required to address governance challenges.

“When we look at the law, we should not see it in isolation. It is influenced by many other factors, and all of these must be taken into account if we want to develop leaders capable of making a lasting impact in these areas,” she explained.

Dr. Mweso added that the department will collaborate across disciplines within the school. “Now that we are a School, we can work together in teaching. Colleagues from Economics and Political Science will deliver modules in their areas of expertise, and we will also involve industry practitioners who can share valuable real-world insights,” she said.

One of the pioneer students, Mr. Aulerious Phukaphuka, who works with the Malawi Police Service as Senior Superintendent and Regional Prosecuting Officer for the Central Eastern Region, expressed his satisfaction at being enrolled in the programme. He observed that it will benefit him both personally and professionally.

“I have been searching for this programme for a very long time, and at one point I even broadened my search outside Malawi. So, once I saw the advert, I did not hesitate to apply, as I am very confident it will address my needs,” he said.