town located in southeastern Uganda. It lies at the western foot of the extinct volcano Mount Elgon (Elgon, Mount) (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.