The outbreak was followed by a quarantine imposed by the veterinary department in November, restricting sale and movement of the pigs within and outside the district.

However, due to continuous violation of the quarantine, the disease spread to all the nine sub-counties as well as Adjumani Town Council.

According to Daily Monitor, during a meeting on Tuesday, Dr Williams Guma, a veterinary officer, admitted that enforcement of the quarantine had become a big challenge.

“Some of the residents transport and slaughter pigs at night and the potential pork buyers are informed by either phone calls or text messages about the availability of pork.

"This has frustrated our efforts to curb the disease,” Dr Guma said. He said they would start an operation to arrest and prosecute those defying the ban.

A record obtained from the veterinary department indicates that it is the third time the disease reportedly spread by infected pigs from Amuru District, has ravaged pigs in Adjumani District.

Two previous outbreaks of the disease reportedly killed an estimated 12,000 pigs valued at Shs120 million.