Uganda jail officer sacked for 'politicking' on TikTok

[ad_1] A Uganda jail officer has been sacked for criticising the federal government on TikTok, in a uncommon transfer authorities stated amounted to "gross indiscipline".

Lawrence Ampe had been below investigation over social media posts accusing senior authorities officers of corruption, human rights abuses and mistreatment of lower-ranking jail officers.

"The standing orders do not permit a public officer to take part in politics, which he's doing even now," prisons spokesman Frank Baine advised the BBC, saying Ampe was sacked for "politicking within the incorrect discussion board".

The opposition has condemned the transfer, describing it as proof of "systemic oppression" and double requirements inside the safety sector.

The officer shared the dismissal letter on his TikTok account with the caption: "I am lastly out free to help reality."

In one other video, Ampe urged Ugandans to not fear about how he would survive with no job, saying: "What we're doing will not be all about cash however about liberating our nation."

He stated he was utilizing his TikTok account, which has greater than 100,000 followers, to reveal senior authorities officers who're concerned in corruption and misusing their energy, and to inform Ugandans learn how to love their nation.

The officer has additionally used his social media accounts to advertise election marketing campaign movies for opposition chief Bobi Wine, a pop star-turned-politician, whose actual identify is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

Bobi Wine is in search of to unseat President Yoweri Museveni within the 15 January elections, because the long-serving chief goals to increase his almost 40-year rule.

In an announcement, the Prisons Council stated it had "resolved to dismiss" Ampe final Tuesday and ordered him at hand over all state property in his possession.

Mr Baine stated Uganda's legal guidelines didn't permit public servants to take part in politics.

"We have now put him in the appropriate discussion board to do his politicking," the prisons spokesman advised the BBC, including that Ampe didn't present regret when he appeared earlier than the Prisons Council.

The BBC has reached out to Ampe for remark.

Final month, the Uganda Prisons Service stated it was investigating Ampe for his self-made TikTok movies on varied topics, cautioning officers in opposition to utilizing social media to specific political views.

It cited legal guidelines that prohibited public officers from speaking with the media on "points associated to work or official coverage" with out permission from authorising seniors.

‎Regardless of the warning, Ampe reportedly continued importing political movies, resulting in additional disciplinary proceedings.

Bobi Wine defended Ampe, saying he was utilizing social media to "expose corruption, abuse of energy, oppression of decrease rating officers and different evils inside the Uganda Prisons Service".

He stated the officer's dismissal mirrored double requirements, noting that different safety officers, notably within the army, routinely seem within the media expressing partisan help for President Museveni's management with out dealing with disciplinary motion.

The federal government has beforehand been accused of limiting individuals's means to criticise the actions of the state or its officers.

The US authorities in a 2023 report stated Uganda had restricted web freedom by means of using felony punishments.

Rights teams additionally frequently denounce the Ugandan authorities over violations of human rights and the liberty of expression.

Final July, a 24-year-old man was sentenced to 6 years in jail for insulting the president and the primary household on a TikTok video. He had pleaded responsible and requested for forgiveness.