The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has warned former warder Lawrence Ampe, who was dismissed from the force in December last year, to stop what it describes as continued attacks on government institutions, cautioning that he remains bound by the Public Service Code of Conduct and Ethics.
UPS spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja said Ampe’s dismissal does not exempt him from ethical and legal obligations under Section 4.8.3 (II) of the Code of Conduct and Ethics for the Uganda Public Service.
“Regarding ex-warder Lawrence Ampe, he is hereby warned and reminded that he remains bound by the Code of Conduct and Ethics of the Uganda Public Service,” Baine said.
Ampe was dismissed following a series of social media posts in which he accused senior prison officials of corruption, human rights abuses, and mistreatment of junior officers. After his dismissal, he shared his termination letter on social media platform X, claiming the decision was unlawful and asserting that leaving the service had freed him to speak openly.
“I’m finally out, free to support truth,” Ampe wrote.
On December 20, Ampe appeared at a National Unity Platform (NUP) rally in Ngora District, where he publicly endorsed NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine. Addressing supporters, Ampe said losing his job was insignificant compared to what he described as the struggle for national liberation.
“Let go of the fear of loss, and embrace the freedom to move forward. What we’re doing isn’t about money or jobs; it’s about liberating our nation,” he told the crowd.
UPS says Ampe’s continued public criticism of prison officials and the government after his dismissal has raised concern within the institution. Baine warned that such conduct could attract legal consequences if it persists.
“I’m not saying he will definitely be arrested, but the Public Service Code still applies to him. Dismissal is not an excuse to tarnish the government’s image. The long arm of the law still reaches him,” Baine said.
UPS reiterated that it operates under the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and is guided by values of professionalism, integrity, discipline, security, and nationalism, adding that it will act against any conduct it deems harmful to the institution’s image.
