small arms and light weapons among pastoral groups in the kenya ...

SALW AMONG PASTORAL GROUPS 67
shops with bullets, although those days are gone. 100 A Father in Panyangara
referred to instances where bullets were put in offering plates at
the church! 101
Ammunition prices
The cost of ammunition has risen dramatically. About a decade ago,
one could pay three UgSh for one bullet (ten for a penny!) In 2001 in
Moroto/Nakapiripirit area, however, the price had increased to 200
UgSh. Alternatively, one cow can be traded for a bucket full of bullets. 102
The ammunition costs seem to have increased further with the attempted
disarmament in Uganda. Before disarmament, one could get single bullets
for 200–500 UgSh (one to two pence!). 103 Currently, ammunition is
selling for 500–1000 UgSh. In Matheniko, ammunition prices increased
from 200 UgSh when the author was present in 2001 to 500–1000 UgSh
during the most recent visit in 2004. In Pian, ammunition comes from
Kaabong in Dodoth. Prices increased from 500 UgSh in 2001 to 600–
1000 UgSh in 2004. Prices are higher further away from the main routes/
sources, of which Jie is one. A former raider interviewed in Kanawat (Jie)
in 2003 stated,
I was getting my bullets by killing other raiders and some from traders. From traders,
we could buy 1000 bullets for one cow. One bullet went for 200 shillings. This was
mainly for the AK47 SMG, which is the common gun in Jie. 104
Interviews revealed that the UPDF and the LDUs are known to sell
ammunition to some pastoral groups and especially to the Karachunas
(Karimojong warriors) and Ng’idingai (Pokot warriors). A warrior interviewed
in the Karita area (Uganda) said that apart from being provided
ammunition by the UPDF for official purposes, the UPDF soldiers would
sometimes sell them extra ammunition. As one Catholic father noted, ‘Soldiers
were not paid at one moment and have access to armoury, the soldiers
were selling to their people’. 105 During disarmament, soldiers were
selling their bullets at 100 UgSh each, to pay for local brew. In November
2004, a UPDF was arrested in Kotido, with 700 rounds of ammunition in
a local beer container. 106 Ammunition is more expensive in Kenya. According
100. Interviews in Kanawat and Kotido, February 2003, and in Losilang and Kachire,
November 2004. In some places, there is no government administration.
101. Interview in Karamoja, November 2004.
102. Interview with Pastor Samuel Kotiyot, Amudat, 31 May 2001.
103. Interviews in Kachire, Panyangara and Kanawat, November 2004. Kotido also came
up with the same figures.
104. Interview with reformed raider in Kanawat, 2004.
105. Interview with Catholic Father in Karamoja, name withheld, 19 June 2001 and January
2003.
106. Interviews in Kotido town, November 2004.