At least 31 people have died of cholera and over 290 infected in eastern Uganda in the past six weeks followed the April heavy rainfall in the region, an official has said.

Health Minister Stephen Mallinga, attributed the infections to River Manafwa, which he said was contaminated and runs through four districts, including Butaleja, Mbale, Pallisa and Manafwa, before it joins the swamps in the low-lying rice-growing areas of Butaleja.

Mallinga was quoted by the state-owned New Vision daily on Thursday as saying that the district cholera task forces had been reactivated, providing supplies and setting up treatment centers.

The government has distributed jerry cans and water purification tablets to the communities for the use of cleaning water, cutting the spreading of the epidemic.

(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2008)