Death toll in western Uganda flash floods rises to 17

The death toll in the western Uganda flash floods has risen to 17, police said Sunday.

Swaibu Taban, Bundibugyo district police commander, told Xinhua over the phone that six more bodies were recovered on Sunday, bringing the total number of bodies retrieved to 17.

The flash floods occurred after heavy rains caused three rivers to overflow in over 11 sub-counties in Bundibugyo on Saturday.

Taban said they have identified an area where more bodies are buried.

"We shall exhume them tomorrow (Monday) when the excavators arrive," said Taban.