Cattle form a crucial part of the Karamojong value system

But many more guns need to be handed in by 2 January, the deadline for voluntary disarmament, as the cattle herders are estimated to have about 40,000 weapons.

The BBC's Anna Borzello, reporting from the town of Moroto in the region, says it used to be common to see Karamojong cattle-keepers striding along the streets carrying AK47s.

Now, she say, they are carrying sticks.

As well as handing over weapons, hundreds of Karamojong men have volunteered to join local defence units which will take on the role of protecting Karamoja's borders from cattle rustlers in Kenya and Sudan.

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The cow is at the centre of the Karamojong value system and cattle raiding is a way of life.

Raids principally take place to pay for dowries, but they are also a chance for men to prove their strength to the community.

Increasing violence

In the past the Karamojong carried spears, but in the 1970s they started using guns.

Since then the raids have become far bloodier, with as many as 500 people killed in a single attack.

Until now, the government has allowed the Karamojong to keep their weapons, on the grounds that they are under threat from cross-border raids.

Until now the Karamojong could keep their guns as protection from cross-border raids

However, it changed its mind last year after the Karamojong raided neighbouring districts.

The disarmament programme, was first launched in February. But it failed to take off because of what President Museveni described as inefficiency.

The heart of the programme involves the Karamojong voluntarily handing over their weapons and trusting the army to protect them from cross-border raids.

The government may extend the disarmament period beyond 2 January, but our correspondent says they are currently planning to use minimal force to remove weapons after that date.

President Museveni, who visited the region to oversee the disarmament campaign, has insisted that illegal guns must be removed from Karamoja.

On Thursday, armed cattle rustlers shot and injured three presidential guards.

A Ugandan presidential spokeswoman told AFP news agency that warriors ambushed the soldiers some 25 kiometres (15 miles) from where Mr Museveni was camped.

The injured were flown to hospital for treatment, she said.

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