At least 29 people have died of Hepatitis E and over 1,384 have contracted the virus in five sub-counties in Kitgum district, the LC5 chairman has said.

"We have registered 61 new cases in Madi-Opei, 29 in Agoro, 31 in Paluga, five in Mucwini and seven in Padibe. Four people died last week," John Komakech Ogwok said.

"Hepatitis E is more severe among pregnant mothers. It is transmitted through contaminated water and poor sanitation, just like cholera," the commissioner of health, Dr. Sam Okware, said. The most common symptoms of the disease are jaundice (yellowness of the eyes) and fever.

The Ministry of Health, together with non-governmental organisations, the UN children's fund, the Uganda Red Cross and the World Health Organisation are working around the clock to combat the spread of the virus.

Red Cross launched a sanitation week in Madi, while other charities have built latrines and boreholes in the district to combat the disease.

Meanwhile, dealers of a local brew, kwete, have criticised the district for banning the sbeer, saying it was their sole source of income.