KCCA seizes bar equipment over noise pollution

Feb 08, 2017

Despite several attempts by KCCA to engage the owner of the bars kept a deaf ear

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in one of its moves to control noise pollution has seized musical equipment and loud speakers from three popular city bars.

According to KCCA the bars have defied both National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Noise Standards and Control Regulations 2003 and Kampala City Council Maintenance of Law and Order 2006.

The law requires that owners of bars should not play music above 45 decibels during the night and 60 decibels in the day. The bars were found with noise above 99 decibels.

KCCA assistant spokesperson Robert Kalumba explained that the director of public health and environment issued maximizing notices to the owners, but they did not comply.

He added that they issued a notice to the owners, but they still did not comply, arguing that they moved to seize the bars after they totally fail to adhere to the order.

Kalumba explained that despite several attempts by KCCA to engage the owner of the bars to have them improve on the standards, they kept a deaf ear.

 enforcement officers take away loud speakers from lan  ar and estaurant during the operation hoto by onnie ijjambuKCCA enforcement officers take away loud speakers from Plan B Bar and Restaurant during the operation. Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu

 

 

"We spoke to managers but they have kept on dodging, they kept a deaf ear when we served notices" he said.

He revealed that residents have logged several complaints about increasing noise pollution in and around the city. The bars affected are Atmosphere Lounge in Kololo, Plan B and Buddu Pub both in Kabuusu, Lubaga division.

The bars are located in residential areas and are not the only ones that KCCA has warned and sealed off since its inception.

 

What managers say

The manager of Atmosphere Lounge, Christopher Owako, explained that they have never received any notice on noise pollution, saying that they are willing to comply with KCCA directive.

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