KCCA closes bars in Kololo over noise pollution

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Saturday morning closed two bars in Kololo over noise pollution and flouting public health regulations.

Atmosphere Lounge on Windsor Crescent and Big Mike's bar on John Babiha Road are the first victims of KCCA's crackdown on noise polluters following complaints by residents of Kololo.

"Early this morning, we closed Atmosphere Lounge and Big Mike's Bar in Kololo for noise pollution and flouting public health regulations as well as lack of operational licenses. This is part of a major crackdown on noise polluters in the city launched this week," KCCA tweeted.

Atmosphere Lounge was also closed. Photo by Godfrey Kimono

The closed bars are among the seven bars sued alongside KCCA and National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) by the residents of Kololo.

KCCA and NEMA were sued for allegedly failing to execute their mandate of ensuring compliance with the laws.

For a long time, residents of the upmarket area of Kololo in Kampala's Central division have been up in arms over the bars and their landlords over noise pollution.

Five residents of the area including the executive director of Oxfam International, Winnie Byanyima, filed a suit in the High Court, claiming that the bar operators have erected big size screens with music videos and flood lights reflecting in people's homes and emitting noise beyond the maximum permissible noise levels.

Atmosphere Lounge is one of Kampala's go to places to experience the city's nightlife. Photo by Godfrey Kimono

The bars sued include Big Mike's, H2O, Casablanca, Wave Lounge, Bubbles O'Leary's, and Atmosphere Lounge.

The court before Justice Henrietta Wolayo has set February 26 this year to rule on the case.