MBARARA, UGANDA – Residents in Mbarara City have raised complaints over excessive and often late-night noise emanating from unregulated places of worship, which they say is severely disrupting community peace and tranquility.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The issue was brought to the forefront during a citizen engagement forum, a baraza meeting held last week in Kyarwabuganda Ward, Mbarara City North, where residents voiced their frustrations.
They detailed the challenges of living near churches housed in temporary structures such as uninsulated commercial buildings, rented rooms, and makeshift shelters.
Many reported issues with amplified sermons, loud music, and overnight prayers that have severely affected their sleep, family life, and overall well-being.
“Living near these Pentecostal churches is a mistake. Their round-the-clock noise, with voices perpetually raised, has completely shattered the peace in our community. We are being denied the simple right to a quiet night’s rest in our own beds,” residents lamented.
In response, Deputy RCC Jackline Kankunda, who attended the meeting, announced stringent new operational guidelines specifically targeting churches in makeshift structures.
She directed that all churches must now secure land ownership, construct permanent buildings, and strictly adhere to noise pollution standards set by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
“The concerns raised by the people of Kyarwabuganda are valid and we have a duty to act. While we respect and uphold the freedom of worship, this freedom cannot infringe upon the rights of other citizens to peace and quiet. The unregulated noise levels have become a public nuisance,” Kankunda stated.
The Mbarara City RCC’s office has instituted a new rule requiring all churches to prove legal land ownership or a lease as the first of three core requirements under its latest guidelines.
The new guidelines also mandate that all churches construct permanent, purpose-built buildings to ensure safety and curb noise, while strictly adhering to NEMA’s noise pollution limits for all activities, with penalties for non-compliance.
This policy represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for Mbarara’s vibrant religious sector and is expected to pose a particular challenge for smaller, nascent congregations that often begin operations in low-cost, temporary settings.
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