# Mbale

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

## Location

Mbale is approximately 225 kilometres (140 mi) northeast of Kampala, Uganda's capital city, on an all-weather tarmac highway. The city lies at an average elevation of 1,156 metres (3,793 ft) 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 48 kilometres (30 mi), north-east of Mbale, by road.

## 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
* Pentecostal Theological College (PTC) in Mbale, Uganda, is a distinguished institution dedicated to developing godly transformational leaders equipped to impact their communities positively. Established in 1968, PTC initially provided training in local languages for pastors and church workers. Over the years, it has expanded its academic offerings and now operates under accreditation from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

### 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

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