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Kinyarwanda
Proprietors of churches and leisure spots including night clubs, bar and restaurants have been called upon to conduct their businesses in a manner that doesn’t affect other people’s rights and activities and to abide by the law.
Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Damas Gatare said though some people in this business sector have responded positively to “repeated calls” to lower down the sound of their music system and install sound proofs, there are those that still have “sound nuisance” and violate the law.
“Those that still violate the law on noise pollution and night disturbance are advised to follow suit. We have on several occasion met and explained to them what the law stipulates and what it requires and at this point we expect everyone to do exactly what is required,” ACP Gatare said.
The meetings include one held between RNP and owners of bars and night clubs chaired by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, in charge of Operations, DCG Dan Munyuza; the September meeting of church leaders held in Nyandungu which was also attended by the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana, Mayor of Kigali Fidel Ndayisaba and chaired by the Minister for Internal Security Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, the October 20 meeting of protestant churches under an umbrella 'Peace Plan' chaired by the Minister for Local Government Francis Kaboneka and also attended by the IGP and the City Mayor and the October 29 meeting between church leaders, City of Kigali and RNP.
The meetings, partly, resolved that they ‘with immediate effect’ stop or lower the sound of their music instruments, install sound proofs and operate in designated places and facilities.
“The operation against noise pollution and night disturbance is therefore not meant to disrupt doing business as some people want to perceive it; actually it’s meant to facilitate ‘doing business’ to ensure that one business doesn’t affect the other. People’s businesses and belief should be done in a way that other people’s rights are put into consideration,” he added.
“We are simply implementing laws which were put in place to facilitate doing business,” he noted.
Police has in the past few weeks arrested some owners of churches and bars, some leisure spots closed temporarily and owners fined for the “noise nuisance” which it says is in contravention with article 600 of the penal code and articles 37 and 108 of the organic law on environment.
Article 37 gives authority to any competent institution to take a decision aimed at stopping any emission of noise that is harmful to health of biodiversity, disrupts the neighborhood or damages the property.
Article 108 also partly penalizes anyone who “makes or facilitates in causing noise that may disturb road users and the neighborhood” with a fine ranging from Rwf10, 000 to Rwf100, 000.
Under article 600, “any person found guilty of making noise and night disturbance in a way that causes trouble among people, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of eight days to two months and a fine of Rwf50, 000 to Rwf1 million or one of these penalties.
Some bars and restaurants, he said, have turned into night clubs illegally with neighbouring ones playing loud music as a way competing and attracting customers while some night clubs are yet to fulfill all requirements including containing the sound of their music system.
“We expect owners of these business spots to do exactly what the licence specifies because beyond that, you will be conducting the business illegally.”
Reacting on churches, he said, the response is “positive” and appealed to others to also respond as it was agreed in the last meetings.
Following meetings held with church leaders, churches committed to ensure self regulation to ensure that all holy places operate in accordance with the law.
In case of concerts, they are allowed but they have to go through appropriate channels including authorization by a charged local government entity indicating time and place to help Police to ensure safety of revelers.
