A Uganda prison officer has been sacked for criticising the government on TikTok, in a rare move authorities said amounted to gross indiscipline.
Lawrence Ampe had been under investigation over social media posts accusing senior government officials of corruption, human rights abuses, and mistreatment of lower-ranking prison officers.
The standing orders don't allow a public officer to participate in politics, which he is doing even now, prisons spokesman Frank Baine told the BBC, saying Ampe was sacked for politicking in the wrong forum.
The opposition has condemned the move, describing it as evidence of systemic oppression and double standards within the security sector.
The officer shared the dismissal letter on his TikTok account with the caption: I'm finally out free to support truth. In another video, Ampe urged Ugandans not to worry about how he would survive without a job, saying: What we are doing is not all about money but about liberating our nation.
He said he was using his TikTok account, which has more than 100,000 followers, to expose senior government officials involved in corruption and misusing their power, and to encourage Ugandans to show love for their country.
Moreover, he has promoted election campaign videos for opposition leader Bobi Wine, a pop star-turned-politician, who aims to unseat President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming elections.
The Prisons Council resolved to dismiss Ampe last Tuesday, ordering him to hand over all state property in his possession. Baine maintained that public servants are not permitted to involve themselves in political activities.
Bobi Wine defended Ampe, stating that he was using social media to expose corruption while pointing out the double standards faced by those critical of the government compared to those in support of President Museveni.
The Ugandan government has faced accusations of restricting criticism of state actions, with a track record of punishing those who voice dissent against officials. Rights groups continually denounce violations of human rights and freedom of expression in the country.
