Mbala District is the oldest district in Zambia and was the Administration Capital for North Eastern Rhodesia. The District was first established as Tanganyika district under Central African Authority (C.A.A) in 1890.

It was declared a Crown Administration under the British South African Company (BSA) whose offices were called BOMA (British Oversees Military Administration). Originally, the BOMA was established in the area of Chief Zombe on the banks of Lucheche River along Stephenson road because of its suitability for checking slave routes to the east and counter Bemba raids for slaves in the area.

It is formerly known as Abercorn established in 1890. Its name was changed to Mbala District in 1968; the name was derived from a type of spotted bushbuck known as Imbala which was commonly found around Lake Chila. It became a Municipality in 1996.

Mbala District is 1,071 kilometres from Lusaka, the Capital City of Zambia and 167 kilometres from Kasama, the Provincial Headquarters for Northern Province.

Mbala District Shares International Boundaries with the Republic of Tanzania in the North, Senga Hill District in the Southeast, Nakonde District in the East and Mpulungu District in the West.

Mbala District has a surface area of about 10,832 Square kilometres.

From Northern Provincial Registration Official Website

https://www.nor.gov.zm/?page_id=1602#:~:text=Mbala%20District%20is%20the%20oldest%20district%20in%20Zambia,district%20under%20Central%20African%20Authority%20%28C.A.A%29%20in%201890.