

By Nathan Ngobi
Jack Wamai Wamanga the Mbale municipality (now city) MP has finally hanged up his political boots and will embark on farming and teaching.
Speaking during the celebrations to launch of Mbale City on July, 2020 at Mbale Mayor’s Gardens, Wamai who served as an ambassador for 25 years before joining politics, said he also wants to give younger people a chance to lead Mbale to greater heights .
“My support has been increasing term after term from the time I joined politics and up to now voters are pleading that I do not go but I feel I should leave and allow some new players to take Mbale to another level,” the 74-year old Wamai announced amidst cheers from the gathering.
However political pundits intimated that Wamai’s decision the realization that his lengthy stay in politics and the imminent scientific election would conspire to undermine his bid.
Others posit that the growing number of NRM figures in Mbale following the attainment of city status has also worried the MP, who also doubles as the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Wamai, who has served 12 years as MP for Mbale Municipality, joined Parliament in a 2010 by-election after then MP Wilfred Kajeke resigned before his term ended.
Wamai is widowed, having lost his wife Elizabeth Beatrice Wamanga on February 27, 2018, in a motor accident in Canada, the last diplomatic posting before the husband held before he joined politics.