Uganda Prisons Officer Fired for TikTok Political Posts
Ugandan authorities fired a prison officer after political posts on TikTok, underscoring rules that public servants must stay apolitical and sparking debate over disciplinary fairness.
A Ugandan prison officer was dismissed after posting political content on TikTok, a move authorities described as gross indiscipline.
Lawrence Ampe had been investigated for social media videos that accused senior government figures of corruption, human rights abuses, and mistreatment of junior officers.
"The standing orders don't allow a public officer to participate in politics, which he is doing even now," prisons spokesman Frank Baine told INLIBER, explaining the dismissal as "politicking in the wrong forum."
The opposition has criticised the move, calling it evidence of systemic oppression and double standards within the security services.
The officer shared the dismissal letter on his TikTok account with the caption: "I'm finally out free to support truth." In another video, Ampe told Ugandans not to worry about his future, arguing that the goal is to liberate the nation rather than chase money.
He said he used his TikTok account, which has more than 100,000 followers, to expose what he described as corruption and misuse of power by senior officials, and to encourage patriotic love for the country.
Ampe also posted content endorsing opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, in the lead-up to the January elections where President Yoweri Museveni seeks another term.
The Prisons Council announced it had decided to dismiss Ampe last Tuesday and ordered him to surrender all government property in his possession.
Frank Baine reiterated that Uganda’s laws prohibit public servants from participating in politics and added that Ampe offered little remorse when appearing before the Prisons Council.
The INLIBER has reached out to Ampe for comment.
Earlier this year, Uganda’s Prisons Service said it was investigating Ampe over self-made TikTok videos and cautioned officers against using social media to express political opinions. Officials cited rules that bar public officers from discussing work-related issues with the media without prior approval from superiors.
Bobi Wine defended Ampe, stating that he used social media to expose corruption, abuse of power, the oppression of lower-ranking officers, and other wrongs within the Uganda Prisons Service. He argued that Ampe’s dismissal shows double standards, noting that other security personnel, especially in the military, regularly speak publicly in support of leaders without facing similar penalties.
Rights groups and Western observers have long criticised restrictions on free expression in Uganda. A 2023 U.S. assessment highlighted internet restrictions, and activists continue to call for greater freedom to discuss governance online. Earlier this year, a separate case showed how social media activity can lead to legal consequences for controversial posts.
Last July, a 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years for insulting the president in a TikTok video; he had pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness.
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Source: BBC News
Expert comment: A policy expert notes that neutrality laws aim to shield public services from political pressure, but enforcement can appear uneven across agencies. The rise of social media makes it harder to draw a clean line between personal expression and official duties.
Conclusion: The case underscores ongoing tensions between political participation and professional duties for public servants in Uganda. As elections approach, debates over fairness, freedom of expression, and the use of social media by officials are likely to continue.
Short summary: A Uganda Prisons Service officer was dismissed for political activity on TikTok. Officials say the move enforces neutrality obligations for public workers, while critics describe it as selective enforcement. The incident feeds into broader conversations about governance, media, and rights ahead of the January elections. The situation demonstrates how social media intersects with state discipline in East Africa.
Key insight: Public servant neutrality rules restrict political activity on social media, illustrating the ongoing balance between accountability and free expression within Uganda’s security services.
BBC News
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