Africa-Press – Uganda. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija has confirmed he will contest the 2026 general elections on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, but insists it will be his final term in active politics.
Kasaija, who has represented Buyanja County in Parliament for decades, made the declaration on Tuesday after picking nomination forms from the NRM Secretariat in Kampala.
Now in his late seventies, the veteran politician said he remains confident of victory in the upcoming race, brushing aside any concerns over new challengers.
“When I look at those who have expressed interest in contesting, I don’t see anyone who will work for my people better than I have,” Kasaija told reporters.
“I dare anyone to come and challenge me in the 2026 elections – let them come, but they should know I will defeat them.”
He, however, made it clear that the 2026 election will mark the end of his political career.
“This will be my final term. After this, I will not return to politics. I will retire peacefully, go back to my farm, look after my cattle, and enjoy drinking milk,” he said with a smile.
Kasaija has been a towering figure in Uganda’s post-independence politics, serving in various senior government positions since the 1980s.
A close ally of President Museveni, he joined Cabinet in the early years of the NRM administration and has held the powerful Finance docket since 2015.
His tenure as Finance Minister has seen him preside over a range of economic reforms, tax policy shifts, and budgetary strategies aimed at infrastructure development and revenue mobilisation.
Yet his leadership has also faced criticism over Uganda’s growing public debt and widening inequality.
A seasoned lawmaker, Kasaija has served in Parliament continuously since 1980, except for a brief period in the 1980s.
He is one of a few Ugandan politicians who bridge the pre- and post-NRM eras, and his long-standing dominance in Buyanja County has made him a central figure in Kibaale District politics.
Though the field of potential challengers for the Buyanja seat has not yet been formalised, Kasaija appeared undeterred, suggesting that none of the emerging voices posed a serious threat.
“Let them come,” he said, “but I’m still the best choice for my people.”
The announcement is likely to trigger fresh political calculations in Kibaale, especially among younger NRM hopefuls who have been waiting in the wings for a chance to vie for the seat.
Kasaija’s declaration that 2026 will be his last term could open up space for new leadership while also sparking debate over generational transition within the party.
In recent years, calls have grown louder across Uganda for veteran politicians to pave way for younger leaders.
While Kasaija’s decision to bow out after 2026 may be welcomed by some reformists, his choice to run again is also likely to draw criticism from those advocating for political renewal ahead of the polls.
The 2026 general elections will mark yet another test for the NRM’s internal democracy, as longstanding MPs like Kasaija face both party primaries and national scrutiny over their continued dominance.
For now, however, the Finance Minister seems focused on finishing his political journey on his own terms — one more term in office, followed by what he described as a quiet life back on the farm, among his cattle and milk.
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