The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has reiterated strict guidelines on the use of social media by its officers, warning against defamation, subversion and partisan political activity, even as a recently dismissed prisons warder has joined the National Unity Platform (NUP) campaign trail.
Commissioner of Prisons in charge of Political Commissariat and Chief Intelligence Officer, Moses Kamugisha, cautioned officers to use social media responsibly and in line with directives issued by the Commissioner General of Prisons (CGP).
He said digital platforms should be used to support national development and promote a positive image of government programmes, not to undermine institutions or national cohesion.
“Prisons officers are trained to handle difficult situations professionally, including dealing with the media,” Kamugisha said, noting that communication with the press and the public must be managed carefully, both within and outside the Service.
He warned that misuse of social media through defamation or subversive conduct violates both Prisons regulations and the Computer Misuse Act. At the same time, he encouraged officers to use digital platforms responsibly to highlight government achievements and ongoing reforms within the Uganda Prisons Service.
The warning comes barely a week after UPS dismissed warder Lawrence Ampe of Ngora Prison from service for allegedly engaging in partisan politics and criticising the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on social media.
In a letter dated December 17, 2025, addressed to the Officer in Charge of Uganda Prisons Ngora, the Prisons Council resolved to dismiss No. 17974 Warder Ampe Lawrence from service with effect from December 9, 2025.
Over the weekend, Ampe appeared alongside NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, during a campaign event in Ngora District. Addressing the crowd, Ampe called for change and criticised what he described as fear and silence among Ugandans.
“We all know what is right, even though most of you hide the truth. It doesn’t help us to keep jobs, yet Uganda is dying,” Ampe said, citing unemployment and governance challenges.
He added that he was relieved by his dismissal and pledged to continue working with the people of Ngora. “I was so happy for the prisons to discharge me. It was my prayer alwas… stop fearing,” he told supporters.
Bobi Wine thanked Ampe for what he described as a patriotic stand against injustice, praising him for speaking out despite having a government job. “You cannot be comfortable alone when the rest of your brothers and sisters are suffering,” Kyagulanyi said.
Meanwhile, Kamugisha highlighted key achievements of the Uganda Prisons Service, including the expansion of prison facilities and growth in staff numbers from about 2,000 officers in the 1990s to more than 14,000 today. He also cited improvements in infrastructure, revival of prison industries, enhanced production, better welfare for staff and inmates, strengthened rehabilitation programmes and improved access to justice.
Kamugisha attributed the developments to what he described as visionary leadership under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and urged officers to remain vigilant, patriotic, Pan-African and democratic as they continue to serve the government and the country.
