Kololo residents up in arms over delayed court decision on bar noise
The National Environment (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, 2003 (under sections 28 and 107 of the National Environment Act Cap 153), clearly spell out the permissible noise levels by entertainment places.
Kololo residents up in arms over delayed court decision on bar noise
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Kololo residents are up in arms after the period within which court was supposed to pronounce itself on a noise pollution case filed against Aurous Restaurant and Fine Dining bar elapsed without any ruling.
On February 19, 2026, High Court judge Bonny Isaac Teko allowed the bar to operate but gave it six months within which it should maintain directives of; ensuring permissible noise levels and installing sound proof materials.
Justice Teko’s directive followed a petition from Kololo residents, who complained against noise pollution from the bar owned by shareholders; Martin Kasenge, Christine Nankanja, and Arnold Koreta, a son to Gen. (rtd) Ivan Koreta.
Justice Teko then said he would deliver a ruling after six months on the way forward and based on how the management of Aurous bar responds to the directives.
During the six-month period, however, several inspections by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) at the bar located on plot 11 Roscoe Road found that it was still emitting noise above the permitted levels.
According to a NEMA report compiled at 1:04am on August 1, 2026, Aurous bar was found emitting noise levels of 67.3 decibels, way above the acceptable levels of 40 decibels.
The judge was on August 18, expected to rule on whether the bar had adhered to the NEMA requirements regarding noise pollution to allow it continue operating or not, but the ruling was deferred.
New Vision has learnt that Justice Teko’s clerk informed the parties to the suit that the matter has been adjourned indefinitely because the judge is currently attending to election petitions.
“The matter has been adjourned indefinitely; meaning there is no fixed date for the next sitting, yet we remain without any effective enforcement action to bring the noise pollution to an end,” said another resident.
The law
The National Environment (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, 2003 (under sections 28 and 107 of the National Environment Act Cap 153), clearly spell out the permissible noise levels by entertainment places.
For places or establishments of entertainment in residential areas, the permissible noise levels are 60 decibels during day (6:00 am to 10:00 pm) and 40 decibels at night (10:00 pm to 6:00 am).
The generally accepted noise levels in residential buildings are 50 decibels during day and 35 decibels at night, while in mixed residential (with some commercial and entertainment), the day noise limits are 55 decibels and night limits stand at 35 decibels.
Section 17(1) of the regulations states; “An environmental inspector, the executive director, or a member of a local council may seize, impound, or confiscate any property, tool, machinery, or other instrument, which is likely to cause or has caused the emission of noise if, in his or her opinion, the confiscation would cause tranquility in the area.”
Order stopping action on bar
The development comes at a time when court has since issued an order staying an injunction stopping city authorities from taking action against Aurous bar.
The injunction signed by High Court civil division registrar Simon Kintu Zirintusa was secured by Aurous bar against Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and NEMA.
This was after Kololo residents petitioned KCCA and NEMA over noise pollution by the bar. This prompted KCCA to write to the bar owners asking them to soundproof the bar or risk closure and confiscation of their equipment.
However, New Vision has learnt that instead of complying with the NEMA and KCCA requirements to contain noise, the bar management went to court and secured an injunction stopping the two entities from closing their business and confiscating their equipment.