The headquarters of the original Bukedi District was Mbale township, which lies on a strip of land between the plains that drain into Lake Kyoga to the west and the slopes of Mount Elgon to the east.

[1] At the end of the 19th century the Baganda leader Semei Kakungulu led his army into Bugisu against the Bangokho, then the Bawalasi and Bafumbo further north, and then south to Busoba where he built a fort named Nabumali.

By 1907 his administration only controlled the plains and lower foothills, while the Gisu settlements higher up on Elgon remained largely independent.

There he was told to go to Mbarara and there take charge of a mixed force of Sikhs, King's African Rifles and Police as Political Officer.

[4] By 1911, according to the District Commissioner only one third of the Gisu, those of the plains and foothills, were under administration..[3] A punitive expedition in 1912 in what became Manjiya County managed to subdue the region..[5] After World War I (1914–1918) Bukedi District was divided in 1924 into Budama (HQ Tororo), Bugisu (HQ Bubulo) and Bugwere (HG Mbale).[6].

[8][1] During World War II (1939––1945) Budama, Bugisu and Bugwere were merged into Mbale District to reduce costs.

The town of Mbale remained the administrative capital of these districts, but was made a "territory" separate from both Bugisu and Bukedi.

[1] It recommended changing the borders so Bukedi District would directly adjoin Mbale, while making the town part of Bugisu.

Many did not understand the difference between proteins and calories, and most thought the main goal was to increase production of exotic fruits and vegetables.

One instructor wanted babies to be weaned from breast milk at six weeks of age and then bottle fed on commercial foods.

[13] In 1967 the new constitution placed Mbale and the surrounding strip of land in Bugisu, while Tororo was to become the administrative center of Bukedi.

The district contained the counties of Pallisa, Budaka-Bugwere, Bunyole, West Budama, Tororo, and Samia-Bugwe.