Ugandan prison officer fired for ‘engaging in political activity’ on TikTok

A Ugandan prison officer has been fired for criticizing the government on TikTok, a rare move that authorities said amounted to a “serious breach of discipline.”

Lawrence Ampe is under investigation for social media posts accusing senior government officials of corruption, human rights abuses and abuse of junior prison officials.

Prison spokesman Frank Baine told the BBC that “current rules do not allow public officials to engage in politics, which he is still doing”. He said Ampe was fired for “engaging in political activity in the wrong forum.”

The opposition condemned the move, calling it evidence of “systemic oppression” and double standards within the security services.

The officer shared the termination letter on his TikTok account with the caption: “I am finally free to stand up for the truth.”

In another video, Ampe urged Ugandans not to worry about how he would survive without a job, saying: “We are not doing this just for money, we are doing it to liberate our country.”

He said he was using his TikTok account, which has more than 100,000 followers, to expose senior government officials involved in corruption and abuse of power and to tell Ugandans how to love their country.

The officer also used his social media accounts to promote a campaign video for Opposition Leader Bobi Wine. Bobi Wine is a pop star turned politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

Bobi Wine is seeking to oust President Yoweri Museveni in January 15 elections, as the long-serving leader aims to extend his nearly 40-year rule.

The prison board said in a statement that it “decided to fire” Ampe last Tuesday and ordered him to hand over all state property he owned.

Mr Bain said Ugandan law did not allow civil servants to participate in politics.

“We have put him in the right forum to engage in political activity,” a prison spokesman told the BBC, adding that Ampe had shown no remorse before the prison board.

The BBC has contacted Ampe for comment.

Last month, the Uganda Prison Service Said it was investigating Ampe’s homemade TikTok videos on various topicswarned officials not to use social media to express political views.

It cited laws that prohibit public officials from communicating with the media on “matters related to work or official policy” without the permission of an authorized senior.

Despite receiving the warning, Ampe reportedly continued to upload political videos, leading to further disciplinary action.

Bobi Wine defended Ampe, saying he used social media to “expose corruption, abuse of power, oppression of junior officials and other evils within the Uganda Prison Service”.

He said the officer’s firing reflected a double standard, noting that other security officials, particularly those in the military, often appear in the media to express partisan support for President Museveni’s leadership without facing disciplinary action.

The government has previously been accused of limiting people’s ability to criticize the actions of the state or its officials.

The U.S. government said in a 2023 report that Uganda restricts internet freedom through criminal penalties.

Human rights groups also frequently accuse Ugandan authorities of violating human rights and freedom of expression.

Last July, a 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison for insulting the president and the first family in a TikTok video. He has pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness.