At least six people have been killed and nearly 50 are missing in mudslides caused by heavy rains across eastern Uganda's Mount Elgon region, disaster relief officials have said.

Dozens of homes and farms have also been destroyed during the downpour in the last two days.

The government has been trying to relocate people from the mountainous areas to safer terrain.

In the north-west, the River Nile has burst its banks near Pakwach bridge, cutting off road links.

The roads authority has issued an alert, urging people to use alternative transport while the debris on the highway is cleared.

Heavy flooding and mudslides have killed at least 250 people across East Africa in recent weeks.