Visit Mbale town as one of the major cities in the eastern region of Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative, and commercial center of Mbale district and the surrounding sub-region. Mbale and Sironko districts formerly constituted Bugisu district at Uganda’s independence in 1962. In 1980, Bugisu district was renamed Mbale.
Mbale town borders the districts of Sironko in the north, Tororo in the south west, Kumi in the north west, Pallisa in the west and the republic of Kenya in the east. It lies at the western foot of the extinct Mount Elgon volcano, which is 4,321 meters (14,178 feet) above sea level. It is 75 miles (120km) northeast of Jinja, another major town in the region.
Mbale lies at t the foothills or base of Mount Elgon and the people who reside here are known as Bagisu or Bamasaba people, speaking Lumasaba or gisu as their main language. The Imbalu circumcision ceremonies are always celebrated within the town while the mass circumcision ritual of the Bamasaba takes place.
Mount Elgon, as the 4th and 8th highest in East Africa and Africa at large, offers excellent hiking experiences, with caves of Mount Elgon being the most interesting yet easily accessible. Thus, the existence of Mount Elgon National Park in this area. The nearby Sipi falls have also been described as one of the most romantic and exciting places in Africa.
Located in a fertile coffee-growing region, Mbale is an agricultural trade centre and one of Uganda’s principal dairies. Therefore, agriculture as the major economic activity puts emphasis on food crops such as millet, potatoes, beans, Simsim and sunflower. Cash crops like cotton and coffee, and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and cabbages are also grown in plenty.
Facilities and Services in Mbale Town
Mbale town is the terminus for an improved road network, offering a scenic route around the north of Mount Elgon to Kitale in Kenya.
The district has government aided, privately owned and community-based primary and secondary schools. The district also has government health center III and IV and dispensaries, at county and sub-district level, and two (2) major hospitals. More so, there are also private and Non-Government dispensaries and health centers across the district.
There various major banks with branches across the town and the entire district, such as Stanbic Bank, Centenary Bank, Bank of Baroda and Standard Chartered Bank.
The population of the district keeps expanding every year because of the growing accessibility of facilities.
Other mountain hiking safaris can be arranged for any visitor who wishes to go for hiking Rwenzori mountains experience, one of the most exciting experiences in Uganda. You can also compliment this adventure with a visit to either Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla national parks, for an amazing gorilla trekking experience.