SUBSCRIBE NOW

SIGHT

Be informed. Be challenged. Be inspired.

Ugandan clergy seek explanations ahead of a crackdown on noise pollution

Kampala, Uganda

Religious leaders in Uganda have called for further explanation on how new bans on “noise pollution” will operate following the announcement of a new police crackdown.

The clergy made the request after Deputy Inspector General of Police, Major General Geoffrey Tusiime Katsigazi, directed regional and district police commanders to launch operations targeting churches and bars that perpetuate noise pollution on 29th April.

Uganda Mukono street preacher

 A street preacher preaching in Mukono town, central Uganda, on 9th May, with the help of a loudspeaker. Police in Uganda have vowed to crackdown on religious leaders and preachers whose gadgets emit sound beyond the recommended levels. PICTURE: Derrick Muduku. 

Katsigazi said police were intervening after an increase in noise pollution, particularly from churches and bars within and outside the capital Kampala.

“I am directing the territorial police commanders to help in ensuring that this law is enforced,” he said. “The commanders should work closely with the environmental police and local authorities in their respective areas in executing these operations.” 

While religious leaders have welcomed moves to crackdown on churches which play loud music day and night in residential neighbourhoods, they have insisted that the operation start with efforts to inform the clergy about the new law.

Bishop James Williams Ssebaggala, of the Anglican Diocese of Mukono, told Sight that Uganda needed order and the crackdown against churches polluting the environment was welcomed. But he said the clergy need to be “sensitised” [educated] about the new law.

“People should pray to their God in peace instead of making noise,” Ssebaggala said. “If you want to preach to a bigger group of people, use platforms that contain noise such as phones, radios, televisions and social media.” 



The prelate also called for transparence, fairness and consistence in implementing the law, arguing that it would be unfair for the police to target churches but ignore bars playing loud music at night. Bishop Ssebaggala also tasked the police to crackdown on politicians who conduct noisy campaign drives through towns and cities.

Pastor Moses Solomon Male, head of Arising for Christ Ministries and an outspoken critic of the prosperity gospel in Pentecostal churches in Uganda, also supported the crackdown.

“It is long overdue,” Male said. “[A]fter all, many operators making such noise are busy in religious merchandising, doing lucrative business under guise of religion. In Matthew 6:1-15, Jesus instructs us to avoid being like hypocrites who want to be seen to be praying, and instead enter our rooms and secretly pray to the Father who sees the heart.” 

Pastor Michael Kyazze, of the Omega Healing Centre in Kampala, also called for clergy to be properly informed before the crackdown.

“The police should start by educating the clergy about the amount of noise that is legally accepted to know the perimeters,” he said. “Cracking down on churches over noise pollution before educating the clergy about the law is like marking a paper that is not taught.” 

Rev Dr Grace Lubaale, of the Anglican Church of Resurrection in Bugolobi and a lecturer at Kyambogo University, argued that the idea of educating religious leaders about the noise pollution law police launched its crackdown would help the two sides to work together in fighting noise pollution. 

The Uganda National Environment Act stipulates that no person shall, with regard to noise at places of worship, emit in excess of the permissible noise level, unless permitted by a license.

The law allows environmental inspectors and the executive director of a local council to seize, impound or confiscate any property, tool, machinery or other instrument, which is likely to, or has caused the emission of noise, if, in his or her opinion the confiscation would cause tranquility in the area.

 

Donate



sight plus logo

Sight+ is a new benefits program we’ve launched to reward people who have supported us with annual donations of $26 or more. To find out more about Sight+ and how you can support the work of Sight, head to our Sight+ page.

Musings

TAKE PART IN THE SIGHT READER SURVEY!

We’re interested to find out more about you, our readers, as we improve and expand our coverage and so we’re asking all of our readers to take this survey (it’ll only take a couple of minutes).

To take part in the survey, simply follow this link…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.