Mbale District

Mbale District is bordered by Sironko District to the north, Bududa District to the northeast, Manafwa District to the southeast, Tororo District to the south, Butaleja District to the southwest and Budaka District to the west. Pallisa District and Kumi District lie to the northwest of Mbale District. Mbale, the largest town in the district and the location of the district headquarters, is located approximately 245 kilometres (152 mi), by road, northeast of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and the largest city in that country.[1] The coordinates of the district are:00 57N, 34 20E. It has an area of 518.8 square kilometres (200.3 sq mi). The districts of Bududa, Manafwa and Sironko were part of Mbale District before they were split off as independent districts of their own.

The national census of 1991 estimated the district population at about 240,900. Eleven years later, in 2002, the national census that year put the population in the district at 332,600, with an annual population growth rate of 2.5%. In 2012, the mid-year population of Mbale District was estimated at 441,300.[2] A new national population census is planned for August 2014.[3] The district population is 92% rural.[4] The main ethnic group in the district are the Bamasaba or Bagisu.[5] The main language spoken in the district is Lugisu also known as Lumasaba.[5][6]

The primary economic activity in the district is agriculture. Some of the main crops are coffee, beans, matooke, maize, onions, potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

As of May 2014 there are several university campuses in Mbale, including the following:

• The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), which was established in 1988, maintains its main campus here.
• The Uganda Christian University (UCU), with its main campus in Mukono, established its Mbale campus in 2003.
• LivingStone International University (LIU), was established in 2012 and has its main campus in Mbale as well.
• Uganda Martyrs University (umu),with its main campus in Nkozi,established ts mbale campus in 2009.

Other institutions of leaning in town, include Mbale Secondary School, a mixed day middle and high school (grades 8 to 13), with about 4,000 students. The high school graduates about 250 students in mathematics and sciences, making it one of major science schools in Eastern Uganda. Bungokho Rural Development Centre (BRDC), offers vocational training and is located 3 miles (4.8 km), by road, outside of the town centre, opposite Bumageni Army Military Barracks which has Bumageni Army Children's Primary School.

Mbale was formally linked with the town 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 charity Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust (PONT).[7]

Some of the people rom Mbale District are prominent, including the following:

• Werikhe Kafabusa - Uganda's State Minister for Housing, 2006 - 2011
• Zandya Mutwalibi Mafabi - Mayor of Mbale, 2011 - 2016[8]
• Umar Gocher, CEO Punchline Marketing Agency, Events organiser and host. He was a member of Comedy files UG between 2014–15 and performed on all the major comedy platforms in Uganda and featured at the Maisha Magic Comedy club live in Kampala sharing Stage with Salvador and both hosted by Anne Kansiime. He used to also act skits with Teacher Mpamire.
• Dr Hassan Wasswa Galiwango. He is the current Director of Mobilization and Cadre development in the Ruling NRM party, he is also the director of Mbale Progressive SS and a husband to the Mbale district Woman Mp, Nakayenze Connie Galiwango.
• Nakayenze Connie Galiwango. She's the current Woman MP for Mbale district. She's also the most prominent and popular female politician in Bugisu region.
• Nathan Nandala Mafabi. He is the Secretary General of the opposition biggest party, FDC. He is the always referred to as the King of Bugisu politics. He is the MP for Budadiri west, he is also the Chairman of Bugisu Cooperative Union and also a prominent business man in the region.
• Jack Wamanga Wamai. He is the current MP for Mbale Municipality.
• Eid Masaba. He is a legendary prominent music star from Bugisu region. He has represented Bamasaba on many occasions a cross the country, he is the most celebrated Artiste in Bugisu region who has promoted Lumasaba to the world.
• Nutty Neithan a.k.a. Nathan Wamawungo is a prominent music star in Uganda who hails from Bugisu region. He is the biggest music export from Bugisu region.
• Maguma Siraji Lule also known as Bobex Phanz, Music Critic, Music Promoter, Young Politician, Trainee Journalist. Mbale's Most popular young man.

Hon. Emmanuel Bwayo Wakhweya, former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of the Republic of Uganda from 1970 to 1975, before fleeing into exile in the United Kingdom and United States.

• Government District information portal: Mbale