KAMPALA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan police had dispatched search and rescue teams to Bududa district in eastern Uganda where landslides are feared to have killed scores of people on Thursday.

Patrick Onyango, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that an advance rescue team had been dispatched to the affected Bukalasi and Buwali sub counties.

Sowed Mansur, Elgon region police spokesperson told Xinhua by telephone that the first teams at the scene had so far recovered 17 bodies and many more are feared to be buried.

Police suspended the search and rescue operation when night fell on the site.

Sowed Mansur, Elgon region police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that it got dark to continue with the operation to look for survivors.

"We were still on until it became dark. There was no light to enable us to continue with the operation. We have suspended it and we shall resume tomorrow (Friday)," said Mansur.