In 1916 German missionaries had to leave Tanga as it was occupied by British troops during World War I. Therefore the responsibility of caring for the parishes in Tanga town and the surrounding area fell to Yakobo Ng´ombe. Now he was also in charge of the school in Manyinyi, Digoland, founded by the local teacher Paulo Pera.
Mwaka wa 1916 wamissionari Wajerumani ilibidi waondoke Tanga kwa vile nchi ilikuwa imechukuliwa na wanajeshi wa Kiingereza wakati wa Vita ya Kwanza ya Dunia. Hivyo wajibu wa kutunza sharika Tanga mjini na kwenye maeneo yake walipelekwa kwa Yakobo Ng'ombe. Hapa pia akawa kiongozi mwangalizi wa mashule Manyinyi, Udigo, iliyoanzishwa na mwenyeji mwalimu Paulo Pera.