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 officer shared the dismissal letter on his TikTok with the caption: 'I\'m finally out, free to support truth.' In another video, Ampe assured Ugandans not to worry about how he would survive without a job, insisting, 'What we are doing is not all about money but about liberating our nation.'

The opposition condemned the dismissal as evidence of 'systemic oppression' within the security sector amid allegations against the government of stifling criticism. Uganda's current political climate has drawn scrutiny, especially as elections approach, highlighting the tension between freedom of expression and government authority.