Mbale is a city in the Eastern Region of Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative commercial center of Mbale District and the surrounding sub-region.

Location

Mbale is approximately northeast of Kampala, Uganda's capital city, on an all-weather tarmac highway. The city lies at an average elevation of above sea level.

The coordinates of the city are 1°04'50.0"N, 34°10'30.0"E (Latitude:1.080556; Longitude:34.175000). The city is on the railway from Tororo to Pakwach. Mount Elgon, one of the highest peaks in East Africa, is approximately , north-east of Mbale, by road.

Mbale City is found in the Bugisu sub-region and is administratively divided into two divisions: Industrial Division and Northern Division.

Industrial Division

The industrial Division has one sub-county called Industrial Division and it has a number of parishes which include:

1. Boma ward

2. Bukasakya ward

3. Bumboi ward

4. Bumutoto ward

5. Busamaga East ward

6. Busamaga West ward

7. Doko ward

8. Kijja ward

9. Malukhu ward

10. Malare ward

11. Masaba ward

12. Mooni-nambale ward

13. Mooni-wanale ward

14. Mukhubu ward

15. Muyanda ward

16. Nabitiri ward

17. Namalogo ward

18. Namatala ward

19. Napooli central ward

20. Napooli lower ward

21. Napooli upper ward

22. South Central ward

23. Tsabanyanya ward

24. Wakhwaba central ward

25. Wakhwaba lower ward

26. Wakhwaba upper ward

Northern Division

The Northern division also has one sub-county namely Northern division and its parish includes:

1. Afya ward

2. Aisa ward

3. Bukikali

4. Bulweta

5. Bumuluya

6. Bumuyanga

7. Buwangolo

8. Bwana ward

9. Doko ward

10. Fika Salama ward

11. IU-IU ward

12. Kihuno ward

13. Kireka Nakaloke SC ward

14. Kireka Nakaloke TC ward

15. Kolonyi ward

16. Lwasso

17. Mukunja ward

18. Nabuyonga ward

19. Nabweya ward

20. Najja ward

21. Nakaloke ward

22. Namabasa ward

23. Namagumba ward

24. Namakwekwe ward

25. Nambulu/Kasanja ward

26. Namunsi ward

27. Nanyunza

28. Nkoma-Namanyonyi ward

29. Nkoma-Northern ward

30. North Central ward

31. Rock ward

32. Salem Ward

Population

According to the 2002 census, the population of Mbale was about 71,130. In 2010, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) estimated the population at 81,900. In 2011, UBOS estimated the mid-year population at 91,800. The 2014 population census put the population at 96,189.

Twinning

Mbale was formally linked with the town of Pontypridd, Wales through local and regional twinning ceremonies in 2005. The link was intended to associate professionals and organizations in Pontypridd with their counterparts in Africa, under the auspices of the charity known as the Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust.

Points of interest

The following points of interest lie within the city limits or close to its borders:

Administrative

• The headquarters of Mbale District Administration

• The offices of Mbale City Council

Public facilities

• Mbale central market

• Mbale Municipal Stadium

Military

• The headquarters of the 3rd Division of the Uganda People's Defense Force

Health facilities

• Mbale Regional Referral Hospital - a 400-bed public hospital administered by the Uganda Ministry of Health

• CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda

Educational institutions

• Uganda Christian University College - Headquartered at Mukono UCU, formerly Bishop Tucker Theological College

• Busitema University Faculty of Health Sciences - the medical school of Busitema University, a public institution of higher education

• The main campus of the Islamic University in Uganda

• The Mbale Campus of Uganda Martyrs University - a private university, whose headquarters are located in Nkozi, Mpigi District

• LivingStone International University - a private university affiliated with the fellowship of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ

• Mbale School of Clinical Officers

City status

In 2019 the Cabinet of Uganda, resolved to award Mbale, city status effective July 2021. In November of the same year, Cabinet revised the date of city status to 1 July 2020.

Notable people

• Semei Kakungulu: a General from Kooki, who established Mbale Town in 1903

• John Wasikye: Anglican Bishop, was Murdered After Liberation of Kampala, April 11, 1979

• Canon Andrew Nyote: Political and Community Leader.

• James Wapakhabulo: Politician

• Lydia Wanyoto: Lawyer, politician and diplomat.

• Nathan Nandala Mafabi: Ugandan accountant, lawyer, and politician. He represents Budadiri County West in Sironko District in the Parliament of Uganda. From May 2011 until January 2014, he was the leader of the opposition.

• Walter de Sousa Field Hockey player for Indian hockey team. He was born in Mbale, Uganda and spent his early childhood here where his father was working under the colonial administration.

• Dani Wadada Nabudere (15 December 1932 – 9 November 2011) was a Ugandan academic, Pan-Africanist, lawyer, politician, author, political scientist, and development specialist.

• Gershom Sizomu: First chief rabbi of Uganda, from the Abayudaya community. Member of the Ugandan Parliament for the Bungokho North constituency.

• Lanie Banks: Canadian-Ugandan rapper, songwriter and community activist.

• Werike Kafabusa: Ugandan politician.

See also

• Gisu people

• Gisu language

• Mbale Kenya

• Railway stations in Uganda

• Bugisu Co-operative Union Limited

• List of cities and towns in Uganda

References

External links

• About Mbale

• Climbing Mount Elgon

Noun 1. a humble man of honor, respected towards others. 2. a plate 3. Helper, Giver or Flower