A prison officer in Uganda has been dismissed from service after using TikTok to criticise the government, a move authorities say violated public service regulations and professional conduct rules.
According to reports, the officer shared videos on the social media platform in which he expressed political views and openly criticised government policies. Officials described the content as inappropriate for a serving public officer and said it undermined the principles of neutrality and discipline required in the prison service.
The dismissal has sparked public debate, particularly on social media, with many questioning the balance between freedom of expression and the responsibilities of public servants. While some users defended the officer’s right to voice personal opinions, others argued that state employees must adhere to strict codes of conduct, especially when commenting on political matters.
Authorities maintained that the decision was not aimed at silencing free speech but at enforcing established rules governing the behaviour of civil servants. They stressed that public officers are expected to refrain from partisan political activity, particularly on public platforms.
The incident has renewed discussions across the region about the growing influence of social media and how governments are responding when public officials use digital platforms to express political opinions.
Source: Thepressradio.com
