City hotel fined sh20m for noise

Jul 23, 2013

Kyadondo Road-based Emin Pasha Hotel has been fined sh20m for noise pollution to its neighbourhood.

By Juliet Waiswa

Kyadondo Road-based Emin Pasha Hotel has been fined sh20m for noise pollution to its neighbourhood. The ruling against Emin Pasha Limited arose from a suit by 70-year-old widow, Ahmad Mahera, a resident of Kyadondo Road on Plot 3, Nakasero.

Mahera sued the hotel seeking a permanent injunction to restrain it from perpetuating noise pollution from its premises. Mahera lives adjacent to Emin Pasha Ltd which operates a restaurant, hotel and live band disco on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

In his ruling, Justice Benjamin Kabiito was satisfied that there was damage extended to Mahera in form of noise pollution, destructing her peaceful stay at home, rest and recreation, resulting into poor health, meditation and infringing on her privacy while at home.

Justice Kabiito ordered Emin Pasha Ltd to comply with provisions of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Act, Regulation 8 on noise standards and control, and the Kampala Capital Council maintenance of law and order ordinance 2006 within 14 days.

Kabiito also ordered the executive directors of NEMA and KCCA to enforce the laws pertaining to noise pollution and also furnish court with  detailed report of enforcement measures undertaken with respect to enforcing regulation on noise and environment protection.

This ruling sets a precedent for many people that have been abusing laws on noise pollution in the city.

Regulation 9, Clause 5 of the NEMA Noise Standards and Control) Regulations 2003, provides for the meaning of a residential or noise zone as a geographical area that encompasses hospitals and other institutions that require special considerations for noise control.

For email feedback on this story, write to: homes@newvision.co.ug

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});