Noise pollution threatens urban habitation
Dec 01, 2022
Those who play loud music or inconvenience others with fights should be reported to the landlord who intervenes using the tenancy agreement
Apartments need to have a quiet environment.
Claire Ampaire, a condominium owner in Kiwatule wonders if people need to be reminded on basic community behaviour like noise control. She appeals to neighbours to be responsible and considerate.
“Noise pollution violates people’s right to a peaceful environment. Everyone deserves a quiet environment to unwind,” she says.
Two fronts
Haji Yasin Bakaluba Sekimwanyi, a real estate developer with Bakaluba Properties says noise pollution can be tackled from the tenants’ and landlords’ side.
“Landlords should include stringent rules against noise pollution in the tenancy agreement,” he advises adding that it should be highlighted that a tenant should respect the rights of others.
For example, those who play loud music or inconvenience others with fights should be reported to the landlord who intervenes using the tenancy agreement. Perpetrators should be evicted if they fail to comply.
This way, the tenant will keep in mind that they have to respect that clause.
If someone throws a party with loud music in a residential area, it shouldn’t go beyond 10:00 pm. According to Bakaluba, the landlord should warn the tenant verbally and if they do not change, they should write to them to vacate the house.
“If they remain adamant, the landlord should seek legal redress,” he opines. Away from the tenants, there are also homeowners who make disturbing noise for their neighbours.
On the other hand, Willy Mutebi, a Ugandan living in London, UK says concerts should be in halls and theatres that are soundproofed.
The construction site.
“This is the trend in Europe. They have spent more than three centuries without noise pollution,” he says.
He adds that if an event is organised in an open ground, then there should be enough space to cool off the sound and tests have to be done to ensure that the noise does not inconvenience neighbours.
To measure the amount of noise one is omitting, Mutebi advises to download a noise meter app on a smartphone. It shows the noise levels using decibels.
What authorities say
David Luyimbazi, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) deputy executive director advises tenants and homeowners who are affected by noise pollution to report the perpetrators to relevant authorities.
“Do not be silenced by anyone. It is your right to live in a peaceful environment. Come out and report,” he advises.
Luyimbazi adds that when they receive a complaint, they write to the perpetrator warning them against breaching the noise pollution regulations.
If they remain adamant, they serve them with a notice to sue and if they refuse to comply, they sue them.
Also, Barefoot Lawyers - Uganda encourages those living near noisy clubs, churches, mosques and construction sites to sue against noise pollution.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Noise standards and control regulations of 2003 specify the noise levels at 40 decibels (db) for residential areas, 60db for commercial areas and 75db for Industrial areas.
However, before COVID-19 lockdowns, many churches and clubs had decibel levels of over 100, while concerts on average had over 150.
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