Ugandan National Arrested in Masvingo for Possessing Adult Toys, Faces Charges Under Censorship Law

A Ugandan national named Tom Ssekamwa, aged twenty-four was apprehended in Masvingo for possessing lula lula toys and other related assortments. He has been charged with violating the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act or committing criminal nuisance.

Following his arrest, Ssekamwa appeared in the Masvingo Magistrates Court, where the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) presented the case against him.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) received an anonymous tip-off on August 1, 2024, which led them to Backpackers Rest Budget Accommodation in Masvingo. Acting on this information, the police searched Ssekamwa’s belongings and allegedly discovered several s_x toys and a lubricant for men. As a result, Ssekamwa was taken into custody.

The NPA stated that this discovery formed the basis of the charges against him, and he is currently awaiting a bail ruling in court.

Zimbabwe’s laws prohibit the possession or sale of adult toys, as stipulated in the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act. This isn’t the first instance of such an arrest in the country. In 2022, a well-known social media personality, Ayanda Unity Mponda, faced legal repercussions for dealing with adult toys.

She was sentenced to 24 months in jail, with a portion of the sentence suspended, contingent upon her avoiding similar offenses for five years and performing community service.

Ayanda Mponda’s case involved the advertisement and sale of lula lula toys on social media platforms, which led to her being found guilty of breaching the Custom and Excise Act and exposing explicit material to children. Her case highlights the strict enforcement of laws against adult toys in Zimbabwe and the severe consequences for those found violating these regulations.

In a related incident, Stephanie Chiyangwa, the daughter of a prominent Zimbabwean businessman, faced similar charges in 2016 after returning from the UK and selling lula lula toys. Although she was arrested, she was not prosecuted.

These cases underscore the consistent legal actions taken by Zimbabwean authorities against the trade and possession of adult toys, emphasizing the country’s strict censorship laws.