The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has dismissed Lawrence Ampe, a warder formerly attached to Ngora Prisons, over allegations of engaging in partisan politics and publicly criticising the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on social media.
In a letter dated December 17, 2025, addressed to the Officer in Charge of Ngora Prisons, the Prisons Council resolved to dismiss No. 17974 Warder Ampe Lawrence from service with effect from December 9, 2025.
The council further directed the Officer in Charge to ensure that Ampe hands over all government property in his possession, noting that a formal dismissal letter would be issued. “A formal letter to follow soon. Treat this message as urgent and important,” the directive reads.
Ampe had been under investigation for allegedly posting political content on social media platforms in which he criticised senior prison officers and leaders of the ruling NRM. He is believed to have operated a TikTok account under the name @COPAmpe, where he shared videos accusing ruling party leaders of mismanagement and self-enrichment.
In one widely circulated clip, Ampe said: “Even my fellow officers who call me advising me to stop know that I speak the truth. When they lock themselves inside their rooms, they know this country is not moving on the right path.”
In November, Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson Frank Baine confirmed that Ampe had been summoned to appear before the Prisons Disciplinary Committee over the matter.
Ampe’s dismissal has since sparked public debate and criticism. National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, condemned the decision, arguing that Ampe was punished for exposing alleged abuses within the Uganda Prisons Service.
“Ampe has been dismissed for using social media to expose human rights abuses, corruption, abuse of power, and oppression of lower-ranking officers within the Uganda Prisons Service,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
He further accused authorities of double standards, noting that some security officers—particularly within the military—openly express partisan support for the ruling government without facing disciplinary action.
“Instead, many get rewarded with promotions. This contrast tells you all you need to know about the system of oppression that the NUP government will be purposed to dismantle once in power,” Kyagulanyi added in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday.
The Uganda Prisons Service has not yet issued a detailed public response to the criticism surrounding Ampe’s dismissal.
