Residents in Bugolobi have been advised to relocate to other places of abode instead of blocking development of businesses in the area by complaining about noise pollution from bars.
It should be noted that Bugolobi, a very busy Kampala suburb, is lined with several bars, restaurants and other business ventures.
We have established that the area has only two residents, one of them identified as Francis Kabazikundi and another yet to be identified resident, who reportedly complained to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) about the noise pollution from the bars, calling upon the Authority to close them.
The affected bars in Bugolobi include; Banana Bar & Lounge, Karibu Bar & Lounge, Arena Bar & Lounge, Mango Groove Bar & Lounge, Whispers Bar & Lounge, Caliente Bar & Lounge, Casa de Roy Bar and Lounge, Yard Bar & Lounge, Piccolo Bar & Lounge, Gabz Bar & Lounge, plus Shisha Nyama Bar & Restaurant.
However, following a meeting held a few days by bar owners in Bugolobi, it was agreed upon that the only two residents cannot block development in the area that is mainly commercial and growing a very fast rate.
The complaining residents have since been advised to relocate to residential areas and pave way for business in Bugolobi to continue flourishing.
This is because the bar owners contend that they pay taxes to the government and employ over 800 Ugandans who are able to support their families by using money earned from their bar jobs.
They argue that it is not justifiable to close their businesses and cut off employment for over 800 Ugandans just because of two people.
The bar owners also assert that they lost billions of shillings during the COVID-19 lockdown when their business facilities were closed and that it does not make business sense to close them just a few months after they were reopened by government following the lifting of the lockdown.
The threats for closure of the bars stems a letter written by Francis Emojong, the councillor for Bugolobi Parish, on March 10th, 2022 to bar owners and managers, in which he states thus;
“I write to inform you that I have registered several complaints (both verbal and written) about excessively loud noise generated by your bar on several nights a week. This noise has allegedly denied the residents in your neighborhood their right to peace and quiet.”
Emojong added that: “I am also aware that despite several verbal warnings over time, (from residents, local leaders and police/law enforcement) your bar has continued to generate noise above the permitted levels with impunity and total disregard for the rights of the residents in your neighbourhood.”
Emojong, who noted in his letter that noise pollution is an offence according to the National Environment Authority (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations 2003, under sections 28 and 107 of the National Environment Act cap 153.
He copied the letter to the KCCA executive director, Dr. Dorothy Kisaka, the NEMA Executive Director, the Nakawa Division Town Clerk, the area police commander and area chairpersons, warning that if the noise pollution continues, the authorities will have no option but to close the bars and revoke their licenses.
It should however be noted that in February this year, the KCCA ED Dr. Kisaka urged bars in Kampala and other parts of the country to devise mechanisms of controlling and reducing the noise pollution from their premises but never hinted on closing them down.
