The Karamoja region in north-eastern Uganda is plagued by lawlessness, disease and conflicts between armed tribes which routinely carry out raids on their rivals’ cattle herds.

White Fathers missionary Fr Zacharie Sorgho from Burkina Faso wanted to leave as soon as possible when he was posted to a mission station in Moroto, one of Karamoja’s five districts, during his novitiate.

He said: “At first I felt insecure... I was scared, but I was also anxious to know them, their way of life, their traditions and customs.”