{UAH} Uganda's tallest man only 30 centimetres shorter than world's tallest
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Publish Date: Aug 11, 2014
He always wonders what will happen to him in future as he towers with no resources to cater for his everyday needs.
This is the story of 22-year-old Akol Lokwang, Karamoja's tallest man. Lokwang is 2.2 metres (7ft 2in).
He is 30 centimetres shorter than the world's tallest man, Sultan Kosen, who measures 2.51 metres and lives in Ankara, Turkey.
Lokwang's hands and fingers are also longer than average.
Lokwang lives in a tiny hut, in Lomiroo village, Naryemaregai parish in Lotome sub-county, Napak, one of the five districts that make up Karamoja region.
He says he has to twist himself in the tiny round hut and cover himself with two bedsheets that were sewed together.
He says strangers turn and look at him wherever he goes. Some often park at the roadside near his hut.
Social life
"Sometimes, I appreciate the height and other times, I hate it because children tease and irritate me," says Lokwang.
He also says the height has prevented him from finding love. "Girls avoid me."
More so, he cannot run after them, like is common in Karamoja because he does not want to injure himself.
Lokwang also has a hard time finding fitting clothes. He said the clothes sold on the market are too short and he cannot afford to have his clothes tailor-made.
His sandals must also be made on order.
Lokwang says he walks a lot and exercises regularly to strengthen his muscles.
He also usually teases his peers, who say that he usually grabs their things and holds them up above his head where they cannot reach.
Lokwang says he once performed before the First Lady, Janet Museveni, in a village choir.
He is the first-born in a family of three. Both his parents are dead.
Lokwang sitting on a traditional stool
Another tall Ugandan
The discovery Lokwang comes several years after the death of John Paul Ofwono, who, at 7ft 6.5in, was the tallest man in the country. Ofwono was initially thought to be the world's tallest at 8 feet 4 inches, but on measurement, was found to be 7ft 6.5in.
Ofwono's fame, however, did not end with there. He went on to scoop a sponsorship deal to advertise a local gin, married before going out of the limelight. He died in 2003.
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