Uganda Prisons Officer Dismissed Over Support for Bobi Wine Remains Defiant.

A Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) officer, Lawrence Ampe, has been dismissed from service over his public support for opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.

Ampe’s dismissal follows a series of social media posts on TikTok and X in which he criticized the government and expressed support for Kyagulanyi. In the posts, Ampe accused senior government officials of human rights abuses, corruption, and mistreatment of lower-ranking prison officers.

Despite his removal from the force, Ampe has shown no remorse, instead framing his dismissal as part of what he termed a wider struggle for “national liberation.”

In a strongly worded statement posted on X after his sacking, Ampe urged Ugandans who share his views to remain focused on change, even when it comes at personal cost.

“As we strive for national liberation, let’s recognize that holding onto relationships or mindsets that hinder progress can block our path to success,” Ampe wrote. “You can’t hold a key to success if you’re still holding a key to failure.”

He encouraged supporters to let go of fear and remain resilient in the pursuit of political change.

“The road to national liberation requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to let go. Let’s unlock our future, together,” he added.

The statement was accompanied by photographs showing Ampe’s belongings tied onto a boda boda as he prepared to leave his duty station.

Under regulations governing members of Uganda’s armed and uniformed services, involvement in partisan politics is prohibited. Officers are required to remain politically neutral while in service.

However, Ampe’s dismissal has reignited debate over alleged double standards within the security sector. Critics argue that while opposition-leaning officers face punishment, others within the security forces have openly supported the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Museveni without facing disciplinary action.

The opposition has strongly condemned Ampe’s dismissal, describing it as selective enforcement of the law.

In a statement posted on X, Bobi Wine said Ampe had been punished for exposing abuses within the Uganda Prisons Service.

“For using social media to expose the abuse of human rights, corruption, abuse of power, and oppression of lower-ranking officers, Ampe Lawrence has been rewarded with dismissal,” Kyagulanyi said.

He contrasted Ampe’s treatment with what he described as routine public political endorsements by some members of the security forces in favor of President Museveni, whom he referred to as operating under a “dictatorship.”

“Other security officers, especially in the military, openly express partisan support for Museveni yet never face disciplinary action. Instead, many are rewarded with promotions,” Kyagulanyi added.

The NUP leader pledged that an opposition-led government would reform the security sector to ensure professionalism and political neutrality.

“We shall build a Uganda that hears and protects patriotic public servants like Ampe instead of hounding them out of their jobs for choosing integrity over ‘safety’,” he said.

Kyagulanyi concluded by stating that the NUP “recognizes, appreciates, honors, and stands with” Ampe.