The Uganda Prisons Service has dismissed a warder following a decision by the Prisons Council, ordering his immediate removal from service and the surrender of all government property in his possession.
An internal Uganda Prisons message form dated December 17, 2025, shows that the Prisons Council, under Minute Number 26.1 of 2025, resolved to dismiss No. 17974 Warder Lawrence Ampe with effect from December 9, 2025. The directive was issued from the Office of the Commissioner General of Prisons in Kampala and addressed to the DPC Kumi (R), Reprisons Mid-Eastern.
“Ref: AP.17974 (A). By enrolled that, the Prisons Council under Minute Number 26.1 of 2025 resolved to dismiss No. 17974 WDR Ampe Lawrence of yours from the service w.e.f 9th December, 2025,” the communication reads in part.
The message further instructs prison authorities in the Mid-Eastern Region to take immediate administrative action against the dismissed officer.
“You must ensure that he hands over all government stores in his possession and a formal letter to follow soon,” the document adds, stressing that the matter should be treated as urgent and important.
Although the official communication does not spell out the detailed grounds for the dismissal, the decision has been widely linked to Ampe’s conduct on social media. Mr. Ampe, who was stationed at Ngora Prison, is alleged to have used a TikTok account to comment on political issues and criticise the leadership of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), actions that contravene service regulations governing political neutrality among security personnel.
The Uganda Prisons Service has previously warned officers against engaging in partisan politics or making unauthorised public statements, especially during the election period. Service regulations list indiscipline, partisan conduct and unauthorised media engagement as grounds for dismissal.
Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine has in past statements reiterated that officers are bound by strict rules of conduct and can be subjected to disciplinary action if found in violation. The Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, has also repeatedly cautioned that security officers must remain non-partisan and professional at all times.
The dismissal has sparked debate within political and civil society circles, with critics arguing that disciplinary measures are selectively applied, while government officials maintain that uniformed personnel must adhere to established laws and internal regulations.
Mr. Ampe has since been directed to comply with the handover process as he awaits a formal dismissal letter, as indicated in the Prisons Council communication signed from the Office of the Commissioner General of Prisons.
