UCC takes on Gayaza in noise pollution fight

As the Uganda Communication Commission continues with implementation of  the recent ban on the outdoor community communication systems commonly known as bizindaro, the body on Wednesday  confiscated over 10 systems from individuals, markets and churches in different parts of Gayaza such as Kitezi, Lutete, Wampewo among others .

These installations included 2-8 outdoor speakers. These were taken to UCC headquarters with the help of Police.

According to the manager content regulation Paul Mukasa, the community outdoor communication systems are not licensed and in addition cause noise pollution. He said over 120 installations have been confiscated since the implementation of the ban and over 150 have been pulled off by the owners.

He said there are some places where people have kept deaf ears and that soon UCC will start arresting the owners of those out door communications systems and be taken to court since their out-door speakers will act as exhibits.

Mukasa says the punishment for the illegal installations is sh3m fine or 5 months in jail or both depending on the judge's decision.

On churches, Mukasa noted that most of the upcoming churches tend to hang the out-door systems on roofs so that they can attract more of the Christians in the church and in the due course they cause noise pollution.

Chaos

While in Lusanja trading center drama ensued when the UCC officials and police started entering small rooms where Voice of Kitezi out-door speakers are controlled from. Locals said it's unfair for Police to enter people's premises without their consent.

Some argued that community communication systems have helped them to recover lost young children, household items among others

Locals react

Richard Kafuma who hails near God's Paradise International church lauded UCC for the initiative saying that his family fails to sleep especially during prayer days." Even if a child cries, you cannot hear because of the noise produced by the systems," he noted adding that the locals should use alternative means for announcing their lost items without making noise for the entire area.

Genesta Nyakato,a house wife in Nangabo sub-county, Wakiso district insisted that out-door speakers belonging to the churches shouldn't have been confiscated. She said they are used to spread the word of God to a wider population.

"UCC should instead advise them to reduce on highness of the sound they produce but not confiscating them," she stated.

Christopher Atugizibwe also condemned the move; he said the community communication systems are cheaper when it comes to announcing lost properties. He said the confiscated must have been triggered by people who are jealous of their colleagues for making money form ads.

"At only sh5, 000 the lost property is announced," he stated.

 As the Uganda Communication Commission continues with implementation of  the recent ban on the outdoor community communication systems commonly known as bizindaro, the body on Wednesday  confiscated over 10 systems from individuals, markets and churches in different parts of Gayaza such as Kitezi,Lutete,Wampewo among others .

 These installations included 2-8 outdoor speakers. These were taken to UCC headquarters with the help of Police.

According to the manager content regulation Paul Mukasa, the community outdoor communication systems are not licensed and in addition cause noise pollution. He said over 120 installations have been confiscated since the implementation of the ban and over 150 have been pulled off by the owners.

He said there are some places where people have kept deaf ears and that soon UCC will start arresting the owners of those out door communications systems and be taken to court since their out-door speakers will act as exhibits.

 Mukasa says the punishment for the illegal installations is sh3m fine or 5 months in jail or both depending on the judge's decision.

On churches, Mukasa noted that most of the upcoming churches tend to hang the out-door systems on roofs so that they can attract more of the Christians in the church and in the due course they cause noise pollution.

Chaos
While in Lusanja trading center drama ensued when the UCC officials and police started entering small rooms where Voice of Kitezi out-door speakers are controlled from. Locals said it's unfair for Police to enter people's premises without their consent.

Some argued that community communication systems have helped them to recover lost young children, household items among others

Locals react
Richard Kafuma who hails near God's Paradise International church lauded UCC for the initiative saying that his family fails to sleep especially during prayer days." Even if a child cries, you cannot hear because of the noise produced by the systems," he noted adding that the locals should use alternative means for announcing their lost items without making noise for the entire area.

Genesta Nyakato,a house wife in Nangabo sub-county, Wakiso district insisted that out-door speakers belonging to the churches shouldn't have been confiscated. She said they are used to spread the word of God to a wider population.

"UCC should instead advise them to reduce on highness of the sound they produce but not confiscating them," she stated.

Christopher Atugizibwe also condemned the move; he said the community communication systems are cheaper when it comes to announcing lost properties. He said the confiscated must have been triggered by people who are jealous of their colleagues for making money form ads.

"At only sh5, 000 the lost property is announced," he stated.