Mbale is a city in the Eastern Region of Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative, and commercial center of Mbale District and the surrounding sub-region.

Mbale is approximately 225 kilometres (140 mi), by road, northeast of Kampala, Uganda's capital and oldest city, on an all weather tarmac highway. The city lies at an average elevation of 1,156 metres (3,793 ft) above sea level.

The coordinates of the city are 1°04'50.0"N, 34°10'30.0"E (Latitude:1.080556; Longitude:34.175000). The city also lies on the railway from Tororo to Pakwach. Mount Elgon, one of the highest peaks in East Africa, is approximately 48 kilometres (30 mi), north-east of Mbale, by road.