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.

As of May 2014[update] there are several university campuses in Mbale, including the following: Other institutions of learning include Mbale Secondary School, a mixed day middle and high school (grades 8 to 13), with about 4,000 students.

Bungokho Rural Development Centre offers vocational training and is located 3 miles (4.8 km), by road, outside of the town centre, opposite Bumageni Army Military Barracks which has Bumageni Army Children's Primary School.

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.