Mbale District is a district in Eastern Uganda. It is named after the largest city in the district, Mbale, which also serves as the main administrative and commercial center in the sub-region.
Location
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, by road, northeast of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and the largest city in that country. The coordinates of the district are:00 57N, 34 20E. It has an area of. The districts of Bududa, Manafwa and Sironko were part of Mbale District before they were split off as independent districts of their own.
Population
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. A new national population census is planned for August 2014. The district population is 92% rural. The main ethnic group in the district are the Bamasaba or Bagisu. The main language spoken in the district is Lugisu also known as Lumasaba.
Uganda Martyrs University,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, 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, offers vocational training and is located, by road, outside of the town centre, opposite Bumageni Army Military Barracks which has Bumageni Army Children's Primary School.
Twinning
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.
Prominent people from Mbale
Some of the people rom Mbale District are prominent, including the following:
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.
