Rwanda National Police

In the night of October 11, Police in partnership with local authorities in the City of Kigali arrested nine people over noise pollution as stipulated under article 600 of the penal code and articles 37 and 108 of the organic law determining the modalities of protection, conservation and promotion of environment in Rwanda.

Those arrested include seven church leaders and two bar owners.

The Churches in question are; ADEPR of Gikondo, Eglise Methodiste of Kicukiro, CERPAR of Kimihurura and CLA of Nyabisindu in Gasabo district.

They are currently detained at Kicukiro Police station as investigations continue.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Theos Badege, Commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said people's activities and beliefs shouldn't infringe on other people's rights.

"This operation is a continuous effort to enforce the law against night disturbance and noise pollution which came after previous meetings including the one held on September 17 in Nyandungu and chaired by the Minister of Internal Security where church owners and leaders were explained on these laws and urged to take ownership instead of being punished,” ACP Badege said.

"It is unfortunate that some of them have continued to defy the law despite all these meetings and warnings," he added.

"Our intent is not to stop bars and church businesses but to ensure that it is done in an orderly manner and in accordance with the law. They must ensure that rights of communities in their neighbourhood are respected; operate in designated places, lower the volume of their sound systems and install sound proofs to contain sound," ACP Badege noted.