Title: Dismissed Prison Warder Joins Opposition Leader’s Campaign Trail in Ngora
NGORA DISTRICT, UGANDA – In a move highlighting ongoing political tensions ahead of Uganda’s electoral season, former prisons warder Lawrence Ampe publicly joined National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, during a campaign rally in Ngora District on Saturday.
Ampe’s appearance comes barely a week after the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) dismissed him from duty for allegedly engaging in partisan politics and criticizing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on social media.
From Prison Warder to Political Campaigner
Addressing a crowd gathered to hear Bobi Wine speak, Ampe called for political change and urged Ugandans to prioritize good governance over job security.
“We all know what is right even though most of you hide the truth,” he said. “It doesn’t help us to keep jobs yet Uganda is dying. In good governance, jobs will be there.”
Ampe, who served as a warder at Ngora Prisons until his dismissal, expressed no regret over losing his position. Instead, he framed his termination as a liberation.
“I was so happy for prisons to discharge me—it was my prayer always,” he told supporters. “You have been seeing me, people of Ngora, you know me very well. We have been working together, and in the new Uganda, I promise you, we shall work together more. My people in Ngora, stop fearing.”
Bobi Wine Praises Courage
In his remarks, Bobi Wine commended Ampe for speaking out against injustice and using his platform to advocate for change.
“At your age, many Ugandans don’t know that they can contribute to their country,” Bobi Wine said. “You had a government job and you were comfortable—just as I was comfortable. But of course, we know you cannot be comfortable alone when the rest of your brothers and sisters are suffering.”
Background: Dismissal from Uganda Prisons Service
Ampe’s dismissal was formalized in a letter dated December 17, 2025, addressed to the Officer in Charge of Uganda Prisons in Ngora. The Prisons Council resolved to terminate his employment with effect from December 9, citing violations of conduct related to political neutrality.
Public servants in Uganda, including prison warders, are prohibited from participating in partisan political activities. The UPS stated that Ampe’s social media posts criticizing the NRM and endorsing opposition views constituted a breach of service rules.
Broader Political Context
Ampe’s case is not isolated. It reflects a recurring tension between civil servants’ right to freedom of expression and government regulations enforcing political neutrality. His swift alignment with the NUP campaign also underscores the highly charged atmosphere as Uganda approaches its next general elections.
Similar incidents involving public servants dismissed for political involvement have previously drawn attention to issues of governance, freedom of speech, and the role of state institutions in political processes.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The story has sparked debate online and in local communities, with some praising Ampe’s bravery and others questioning the appropriateness of his actions as a former civil servant.
Meanwhile, Bobi Wine continues to campaign across the country, rallying support for his platform centered on governance reform, job creation, and social justice.
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