By Peter Luzinda
The Uganda Prisons Service has dismissed Lawrence Ampe, a warder with Ngora Prisons from service over allegedly engaging in partisan politics and criticising the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) through social media.
In a letter dated December 17, 2025, addressed to the Officer in Charge, Uganda Prisons Ngora, the Prisons council resolved to dismiss No. 17974 Warder Ampe Lawrence from the service with effect from December 9, 2025.
The council further orders the OC Ngora Prisons to ensure that Ampe hands over all government stores in his possession and promises to further send a formal dismissal letter.
“A formal letter to follow soon, treat this message as urgent and important” the order reads.
Ampe had been under investigation for allegedly posting political videos on social media in which he criticised senior officers and leaders of the NRM.
He is believed to have operated a TikTok account under the name @COP Ampe, where he published videos accusing ruling party leaders of mismanagement and self-enrichment.
“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” Ampe said in one of the widely shared clips.
In November, the Uganda Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine told media that Ampe had been summoned to appear before the Prisons Disciplinary committee.
Ampe’s dismissal from the service has received criticism from the public, with the National Unity Platform Presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu aka Bobi Wine who noted that Ampe has been dismissed for using social media to expose the abuse of human rights, corruption, abuse of power, oppression of lower ranking officers and other evils within the Uganda Prisons Service.
“Meanwhile, in complete violation of the law, other security officers especially in the military routinely appear on the media expressing partisan support for the Museveni dictatorship yet they never face any 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_Ug government will be purposed to dismantle once in power” Bobi Wine posted on his X account on Friday.