The life of Uganda's nomads - in pictures

Natiya Nyerigor, 25, is a volunteer soldier. The Ugandan government trained him and other pastoralists so they could protect their fellow pastoralists and cows Photograph: Sven Torfinn

A young cattle herder watches over his livestock Photograph: Sven Torfinn

Lokong Maria has 10 children and lives in a manyatta near Kotido in Karamoja. "The rain is so erratic there are a lot of rain storms which destroy our crops. We receive the seeds but the tough rains that land with a lot of force frustrate them. I feel so bad because after putting all that effort and then seeing it germinating properly and then the rain comes and it feels so bad. It brings more anger to us" Photograph: Sven Torfinn

A young man washes his motorbike in a little stream coming from the Rwenzori mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon Photograph: Sven Torfinn

"The climate has really changed. It used to be more balanced. Now it is unpredictable. It is not only affecting the animals but also the crops. The crops don't grow like they used to do. They don't yield mature fruits, the heat is too much. I'll take my children to school where they can learn something because I think they won't be able to live the same life as we do," says Moding. "Because of the insecurity, we live in big groups now. If you don't protect your cows, thieves will come and grab them" Photograph: Sven Torfinn

A cattle herder washes his hands after tapping blood from one of his cows Photograph: Sven Torfinn

Paul Loyo, 70, who is from the Karamojong community, in traditional clothing Photograph: Sven Torfinn

Nathapir Water refers to two man-made lakes, where underground water is gathered to ensure that there is water throughout the year, even during times of drought. One lake is used for cattle to drink and people to wash, the other is used for people to drink. The water supply in the area means that pastoralists are less likely to travel long distances and compete with other tribes for pasture Photograph: Sven Torfinn

Pastoralists sometimes decorate their cows so they can identify their possessions. This one has had stripes painted on its coat Photograph: Sven Torfinn

Igira Lometo, 5, and Nawok Nakang, 4, carry water from one of Nathapir Water's man-made lakes Photograph: Sven Torfinn

Pedo Betty, who is six months pregnant with her first child, lives in a manyatta near Kotido in Karamoja. "Before we did some pastoral farming but we do more farming now and we cope by catching wild rats to eat" Photograph: Sven Torfinn

The Mountains of the Moon in Uganda Photograph: Sven Torfinn