Church sound equipment to be confiscated over noise pollution

ENTEBBE. Authorities in Entebbe municipality have started an operation of cracking down what they term as “noise pollution” in the community.

According to the Entebbe town clerk, Mr Charles Magumba, they are to confiscate the communication equipment from both churches and bars. He said church worship services exceed permissible noise levels especially in Lugonjo Village, Division B in Entebbe Municipality.

‘’We have received complaints from locals especially from Lugonjo Village complaining of born-again churches that play their music beyond permissible noise levels during church services, making the community fail to sleep. As authority, we can’t just look on because we have warned these people several times,’’ Mr Magumba said.

“People no longer have respect for churches. Churches are put everywhere….in garages, rentals, kiosks and they have no licenses authorising them to operate and on top of that they play loud music from morning until night (overnights) giving sleepless nights to the neighbouring communities,’’ he added.

He also resounded the warning to bar and pub operators in the area whom he said have no specific time of operation.

“Am also warning those with bars because bars are all over in Lugonjo. They have no specific time of operation and they also have no operational licenses. We have been soft to these people for so long. They play loud music but this is now time for them,” Mr Magumba said.

He added that instead of doing productive work, many youths in the area spend most of the time in bars since they are always open.

“You find people in the morning already in bars. What time do they work and where do they get this money they use to buy drinks? We don’t expect anyone to stop us when doing our work because earlier we confiscated their sound systems and they came crying for our mercies. So this time please don’t come to us pleading. We are tired of you,’’ Said Mr Magumba.

Meanwhile, Mr Fred Mwebesa from Galiraya Worship Center said that spreading the gospel is a mission they are called to by God and can’t be stopped from praising the Lord.