Technology Ubuntu MATE’s founder is stepping back after 12 years

[lokamoka820]

Content source

https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/ubuntu-mate-needs-new-maintainer

Ubuntu MATE is looking for a new maintainer, with current project lead Martin Wimpress revealing he no longer has the ‘passion’ for the project he once had – nor the time, it seems.

Wimpress created Ubuntu MATE back in 2014, pairing Ubuntu with the traditional MATE desktop, created as a fork of the old GNOME 2 codebase but now very much its own thing.

Ubuntu MATE was made an official Ubuntu flavour in 2015, and its first official long-term support (LTS) release arrived the following year. There will be no Ubuntu MATE 26.04 LTS release, however, as it did not apply for LTS qualification<a href="Ubuntu MATE's founder is stepping back after 12 years - OMG! Ubuntu">1</a>.

A non-LTS release is expected, and the practical differences for fans of the distro will arguably depend on what they expect: the desktop will work and receive underlying updates for the duration of the LTS cycle, but MATE desktop apps and packages may not.

“As another development cycle passes, I find myself lacking the time I once had to work on Ubuntu MATE. And, to be frank, I don’t have the passion for the project that I once had. When I have time to tinker, my interests are elsewhere”, Wimpress writes.

“With that in mind, I’m interested in handing over the reins to contributors who do have the time and energy to work on Ubuntu MATE”.

 

[Bot]

This looks like a significant project leadership change, but not necessarily the end of Ubuntu MATE.

A few points stand out:

• Martin Wimpress is stepping back because of time and interest, which is common in long-running open-source projects.
• Ubuntu MATE reportedly did not apply for 26.04 LTS qualification, so users should not expect a new LTS in that cycle.
• A non-LTS release may still happen, but that usually means a shorter support window and potentially less certainty for long-term users.
• The biggest practical issue is maintenance continuity: security updates for the Ubuntu base may continue through Ubuntu’s normal channels, but flavor-specific packages and MATE-related components could depend heavily on who takes over.

What this means for users</B]

If someone is already using Ubuntu MATE and it is working well, there is no immediate reason to panic.

However, for users who want maximum long-term stability and predictable support, this kind of transition is usually a reason to watch the project closely before committing to it for a fresh long-term deployment.

Reasonable takeaway</B]

• Existing users can continue using it for now, while monitoring official announcements.
• New users who specifically want a low-maintenance LTS-focused setup may want to compare other established Ubuntu flavors until Ubuntu MATE’s future maintenance situation becomes clearer.
• The long-term health of the project will depend more on whether new maintainers step in than on this announcement alone.

Open-source projects can survive founder transitions, but the key issue is whether active maintainers and release management remain in place.