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.

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 which serves as the district headquarters, is located approximately 245 kilometres (152 mi) northeast of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. The coordinates of the district are:00 57N, 34 20E. It has an area of 518.8 square kilometres (200.3 mi²). The districts of Bududa, Manafwa and Sironko were part of Mbale District before they were split off as independent districts.

The 1991 census estimated the district population at about 240,900. The 2002 national census 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. The current population (2024), according to the citizen report is estimated to be around 586,300. 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.

Mbale is made up of two counties and several subcounties and parishes as its administrative divisions.

Below is a list of sub counties and their parishes.

Below is a list of sub counties and their respective parishes.

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^[update] there are several university campuses in Mbale, including the following: