Mbale

Mbale, town located in southeastern Uganda. It lies at the western foot of the extinct volcano Mount Elgon (14,178 feet [4,321 metres]), 75 miles (120 km) northeast of Jinja. Located in a fertile coffee-growing region, Mbale is an agricultural trade centre and the site of one of Uganda’s principal dairies. The town is the terminus for an improved road offering a scenic route around the north of Mount Elgon to Kitale, Kenya; tourism is important to the economy. Pop. (2008 est.) 84,100.