By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A prison official in Uganda has been relieved of his duty after criticising the government on TikTok, in a rare move authorities said amounted to “gross indiscipline”.
Lawrence Ampe had been under investigation over social media posts accusing senior government officials of corruption, human rights violations and mistreatment of lower-ranking prison officers.
“The standing orders don’t allow a public officer to participate in politics, which he is doing even now,” BBC quoted prisons spokesman, Frank Baine as saying, adding that Ampe was sacked for “politicking in the wrong forum”.
The opposition has condemned the move, describing it as evidence of “systemic oppression” and double standards within the security sector.
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 urged Ugandans not to worry about how he would survive without a job, saying: “What we are doing is not all about money but about liberating our nation.”
He said he was using his TikTok account, which has more than 100,000 followers, to expose senior government officials who are involved in corruption and misusing their power, and to tell Ugandans how to love their country.
The dismissed officer has also used his social media accounts to promote election campaign videos for opposition leader Bobi Wine, a pop star-turned-politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
Bobi Wine is seeking to unseat President Yoweri Museveni in the 15 January elections, as the long-serving leader aims to extend his nearly 40-year rule.
In a statement, the Prisons Council said it had “resolved to dismiss” Ampe last Tuesday and ordered him to hand over all state property in his possession.
The prisons spokesman said Uganda’s laws did not allow public servants to participate in politics.
Bobi Wine defended Ampe, saying he was using social media to “expose corruption, abuse of power, oppression of lower ranking officers and other evils within the Uganda Prisons Service”.
