State Minister for Finance Henry Musasizi has officially begun his campaign to return to parliament as Rubanda East’s representative for a fourth consecutive term. The long-serving legislator launched his bid in Bushure village, Mpungu Parish, surrounded by enthusiastic supporters waving the yellow colors of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Standing before a crowd of constituents, Musasizi reflected on his political journey with visible emotion. “When I look at how far we’ve come together, I’m filled with gratitude,” he told the gathering. “Your votes have been my motivation to work harder every single day.” The finance minister, known for his measured speaking style, recounted delivering classroom blocks, health centers and roads across the rural constituency during his 15 years in office.

What set this campaign launch apart was Musasizi’s unusual promise – to publicly account for every shilling of development funds spent during his tenure. “Before asking for your votes again, I owe you a full report of what we’ve achieved together,” he announced, producing thick files containing project details. “Transparency isn’t just a word we throw around. It’s the foundation of trust between leaders and those they serve.”

The minister connected local development to national progress under President Museveni’s leadership. “When you see new classrooms in Rubanda, remember they’re part of Uganda’s larger transformation,” he said, listing flagship programs like Parish Development Model that have reached his constituents. His speech carefully balanced local service delivery with loyalty to the NRM establishment that has shaped his political career.

Longtime supporters like 68-year-old farmer Tadeo Byamukama praised Musasizi’s accessibility. “However busy he is with national duties, our minister always comes home to listen to our problems,” Byamukama told our reporter. But some younger voters expressed desire for fresh leadership. “We need new energy to tackle youth unemployment,” argued 24-year-old university graduate Diana Kembabazi, though she acknowledged Musasizi’s development record.

As the campaign season heats up, Musasizi faces the delicate task of defending his legacy while convincing voters he still has more to offer. His team has scheduled a series of accountability meetings across Rubanda East’s villages where they’ll present detailed project reports – an unusual tactic in Uganda’s often personality-driven politics.

Political analyst Dr. Mildred Barungi sees this as a strategic move. “By leading with his record rather than promises, Musasizi is trying to rise above the usual campaign rhetoric,” she observed. “Whether voters will reward experience or demand change remains to be seen.”

The finance minister’s bid comes amid growing calls for generational transition in Ugandan politics. Yet in Rubanda’s rolling hills, where development gains remain uneven, many residents seem inclined to stick with the devil they know. As Musasizi concluded his launch speech to cheers, his final words captured both confidence and humility: “Judge me by my work, not my words. Then decide if I deserve to continue serving you.”

With months of campaigning ahead, this veteran politician appears ready to put his record to the test, betting that concrete achievements will outweigh the appeal of new faces. The people of Rubanda East will soon deliver their verdict at the ballot box.