By Uganda Prisons Service has dismissed warder Lawrence Ampe following disciplinary proceedings related to his social media activity, in which he publicly criticised senior officials and alleged corruption and human rights abuses within the force.
According to an internal Uganda Prisons message form dated December 17, 2025, the Prisons Council, sitting under Minute Number 26.1 of 2025, resolved to dismiss Ampe from service with effect from December 9, 2025. The dismissal followed disciplinary hearings conducted in November.
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The communication, addressed to the Officer in Charge of Uganda Prisons Ngora and copied to regional authorities, instructed that Ampe must hand over all government property in his possession. The message was marked “urgent and important” and issued from the Office of the Commissioner General of Prisons.
Ampe had in recent months attracted public attention after posting a series of videos on social media platforms in which he criticised the prisons leadership, accused senior officers of corruption, and raised concerns about the welfare of lower-ranking officers and alleged human rights violations within detention facilities.
His dismissal has sparked widespread debate online, drawing reactions from opposition politicians, activists and social media users.
National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, condemned the decision, describing it as punishment for whistleblowing. In a statement posted on X, Kyagulanyi said Ampe had been dismissed for exposing “abuse of human rights, corruption, abuse of power, and oppression of lower ranking officers” within the Prisons Service.
Kyagulanyi contrasted Ampe’s case with what he described as selective enforcement of discipline, alleging that some security officers publicly express partisan political views without facing sanctions. He said such disparities reflected a broader “system of oppression,” which NUP seeks to dismantle if it assumes power.
“Dear officer Ampe, we recognize you. We appreciate you. We stand with you,” Kyagulanyi wrote, pledging support and vowing reforms aimed at creating a professional and non-partisan security sector.
Other commentators echoed similar sentiments. Social media commentator Andre, posting under the handle @AndreX_O, said Ampe had “spoken the truth,” arguing that dismissal would not address the underlying issues he raised.
Uganda Prisons Service had not issued a public statement by press time elaborating on the specific charges or responding to the public criticism surrounding the dismissal.
The development adds to ongoing national debate over freedom of expression within Uganda’s security services, whistleblower protection, and the limits of public commentary by serving officers.
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