KCCA bans posters in city

By Juliet Waiswa                                                            

As we draw closer to elections and campaigns, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has issued a warning to all those who intend to place posters and advertisements to seek the authority's permission and clearance or face the law.

A press release issued by KCCA, reads "This is to notify the General Public that the Kampala Capital City Act, 2010, the Kampala City Council (Maintenance of Law & Order) Ordinance 2006, and the Kampala City Council (Outdoor Advertising) Guidelines, 2008 prohibit the display or causing or permitting to be displayed in all outdoor areas.

The laws state that whether a poster is placed on the exterior surface of any building or on any part of any premises, or on any free-standing advertising structure, any posters or advertisements of whatever nature, without a License or Permit from the City Administration, is done illegal.

The release issued on Wednesday warns the public that KCCA will take legal action against any person seen to be placing posters.

"As the city administration, KCCA shall not excuse the spread of unauthorized pasting of posters and other advertisement tools in disregard of the existing legal and regulatory framework."

KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju said they have already received criticism from the public accusing them of a littered city with posters and banners adding that this will be prohibited, once owners do not have a KCCA permit to hang their posters.

"We accordingly, request that those that have pasted erected or caused the placement of any posters and other advertisement tools without the prior approval of KCCA to immediately remove the same to avoid enforcement action and prosecution before courts of law," he said.

Kaujju said some people have been placing posters on several in the night without permission from the authority.

"Once such persons are arrested they will be prosecuted in courts of law," he said.