A Ugandan national named Ssekamwa has been imprisoned in Zimbabwe following his arrest earlier this month for possessing a sex toy.
The arrest occurred on August 2 outside a lodge in Masvingo, a city situated 292 kilometers south of Harare.
Ssekamwa was taken into custody alongside Czech tourist Lucas Slavik during a broader government crackdown aimed at dissidents in the lead-up to a regional summit.
This operation resulted in the detention of over 200 opposition and civil society activists.
Ssekamwa faced charges of criminal nuisance and violating the Control Act after police discovered the sex toy in his bag.
However, Judge Isaac Chikura ruled that the sex toy did not constitute a public disturbance or affect public order.
The judge emphasized that the item was found in Ssekamwa’s personal belongings and there was no indication of any intent to display it in a public setting.
Despite being cleared of criminal charges, Ssekamwa remains in the custody of Zimbabwean immigration authorities.
His defense lawyer, Knowledge Mabvuure of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), reported that Ssekamwa is now facing difficulties in arranging his deportation back to Uganda.
A significant obstacle is that Ssekamwa’s phone, which contains access to his funds necessary for purchasing a plane ticket, is still held by the police.
Ssekamwa is anticipated to remain in Zimbabwe for approximately three more weeks while the necessary arrangements for his repatriation are made.
The situation highlights the complications that can arise from legal issues and bureaucratic delays during international detentions.
