He has dedicated his life to peace, worked closely with the UPDF to disarm his clansmen and once secured surrender of 200 illegal guns in a day. Today, Mzee Aramutori Lokodo is an angry elder, temporary confined by the government at a top Kampala Hotel, after soldiers allegedly grabbed all his 350 cattle last month. He spoke to Sunday Monitor's Tabu Butagira (through an interpreter) about how the army has become what he called a "cattle-rustling tribe" in Karamoja sub-region region.

"I am Aramutori Lokodo and a chief elder of the Pokot. I have been involved in the UPDF disarmament process by mobilising the Pokot to surrender their guns. When I heard that the government wants to take away the guns, I accepted because cattle rustlers have killed many people. Five of my children have been killed by Karimojong raiders and we said the guns are bad. I met President Museveni at State House Entebbe last year and found people here living peacefully.

Carrying good message

I took the message home, telling my people that the gun is a wrong thing to be handled by civilians. When the government said it wanted to collect guns, I accepted and the UPDF came to my place in Katikekile in Moroto and I assisted the army men to collect 200 guns (in May 2007).

Lately, when the army came to Naguliet in Loroo Sub-county, they tortured people indiscriminately until some who had no guns confessed they had guns - just to end the pain. (Because of my good relations with the military), I migrated with them to Naguliet.

My problem began on January 14, 2010. On that day, some Pokot in Kenya, in complicity with some residents came, and raided animals in our area. Then I saw a military helicopter bombing in Lobutuk in Moroto, pursuing the rustlers. As the helicopter returned, the soldiers found my animals at a water point and bombed them and I wondered why.

The next morning, the army came from Anguruma detach and took away all my 350 cattle; I reported to UPDF commanders and local government officials at Loroo Sub-county headquarters. They told me to mention the thieves. I rushed back home and organised a clan meeting and got names of 27 suspects which I gave to the authorities. The army took no step and I later learned that the soldiers had eaten some of my animals and gave others away to, among others, Mr Eritoyi, Mr Eroboba and Charlie. I collapsed crying. We thought the army was to give us security; the UPDF has now become a tribe in Karamoja raiding cattle!

Family to feed

I have 12 wives and many children, 32 of whom are still under my care. The rest have own families. I married from different ethnic groups to make peace. I got my youngest wife Napakol recently and promised to the father that I would give 80 cattle for her dowry. Now I own no livestock.

There is nobody for me to turn to. When I reach home, the children run to me with empty cups crying for milk. My family is gambling life and I fear to go home (where) everyone is crying for milk which they have been taking as daily food. I sometimes think it is better the people who took away my animals should come and also take the children. After the animals were taken, my eldest wife, Chemukeya, went harvesting leaves of the wild Akuriteyong tree and cooked its vegetable but died after eating it.

My clan members are abusing me. They say: You have been mobilising us to give guns and make peace; what are you now? If you like, get a rope and hang yourself. There are two problems for me in the village; the humiliation by clans mates and suffering of my family members.

I am hearing that some of my animals are in Nadunget, Nakali and Nawunatawo in Moroto District but no one is helping me recover them. That's why I came to Kampala to meet my friend President Museveni whom I have helped in campaigns and also the disarmament exercise.

Instead some people of State House have taken me to Fairway Hotel where they are giving me a lot of food. I didn't come here for leisure when my family is starving. All I need is meet the President to see if he can help me recover my cows. That's all I need. If he doesn't, I will die."