The Buganda Road Magistrates Court has granted non-cash bail of sh500,000 each to five women activists from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction, including Deputy Kampala Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, who had spent about three weeks in prison on charges of common nuisance.

The other activists granted bail are Ingrid Turinawe, Faridah Nangonzi, Shadiya Namubiru, and Phionah Kabayinza. Presiding over the case, Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko ruled that the opposition members presented as sureties were substantial. The sureties were directed to execute non-cash bail forms of one million shillings, and the case was adjourned until April 23, 2025, for the hearing to commence.

The five activists were arrested on February 19, 2025, in downtown Kampala on Ben Kiwanuka Street while wearing blue and white T-shirts with the inscription “Kill me but spare Besigye.” They were protesting the continued detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has been in prison since November 16, 2024, following his arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, and subsequent extradition to Uganda. He, along with his co-accused Obeid Lutaale, faces charges of treason and misprision of treason.

Prosecution told the court that on February 17, 2025, the women participated in an unauthorized procession on Ben Kiwanuka Street, allegedly disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience. Initially, the women were remanded to Luzira Prison until February 25, 2025, after spending seven days in detention and a night in the Kampala Central Police Station cells. However, on that date, the Uganda Prisons Services informed the court that they could not be produced because they only had politically inscribed clothing, which violated prison regulations.

The court advised them to obtain alternative clothing, leading to today’s appearance, where they wore blue blouses paired with scarves in Uganda’s national colors: black, yellow, and red. Immediately after their release, the activists pulled out the same T-shirts they wore on the day of their arrest and resumed their protest, chanting “Free Besigye!” Their actions drew a crowd of supporters, friends, and relatives, briefly blocking the court’s main entrance in a mix of celebration and extended protest.

Besigye and Lutaale remain on remand until March 28, 2025, when they will return to court for an update on the progress of investigations into their alleged solicitation of financial and logistical support from meetings held in Switzerland, Kenya, Uganda, and Greece to allegedly overthrow the government of Uganda. After their release, the activists were driven by opposition Members of Parliament to the FDC Katonga faction offices, where they were officially welcomed from jail.

By Amiri Wabusimba. Mubende Municipality, like many rapidly expanding urban centers in Uganda, faces a growing challenge unregulated noise pollution that threatens public health, security, and economic productivity. The increasing commercialization of the town has led to the uncontrolled rise of entertainment spots, particularly bars, clubs, and music halls, often operating in close proximity to financial institutions, schools, hospitals, residential areas, and places of worship. Along Main Street, major banks such as Equity Bank, Stanbic Bank, Centenary Bank, Post Bank, and Finance Trust Bank operate side by side with high-volume entertainment venues, creating an environment where business transactions, security operations, and public peace are severely disrupted.

Beyond Main Street, noise pollution is a widespread issue in Mubende’s other key areas, including Kibaati and Highway where a mix of commercial activities and residential settlements coexist. In these neighborhoods, loud music from nightclubs and bars, open-air preachers using loudspeakers, and street vendors shouting to attract customers have led to significant complaints from residents. Schools such as Infants Parents School and Kasumba primary struggle with maintaining a conducive learning environment due to noise from nearby entertainment spots, affecting students’ academic performance. Hospitals and health centers, including Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, also face challenges in ensuring a peaceful environment for patients due to disturbances from boda boda riders playing loud music, street preachers, and bars operating late into the night.

Uganda has a strong legal framework for noise pollution control, but enforcement remains weak. The 1995 Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to a clean and healthy environment under Article 39. Additionally, Article 43 states that the enjoyment of individual rights and freedoms must not prejudice the public interest. Unregulated noise pollution violates these constitutional provisions by disrupting businesses, health facilities, security operations, and personal well-being.
The National Environment Act, 2019, particularly Section 155, empowers the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to regulate noise pollution in urban areas. Under this Act, noise should not exceed permissible levels for specific zones, such as residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

The National Environment (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, 2019 set clear limits on noise levels and empower authorities to impose penalties on businesses and individuals that violate these standards. The Public Health Act, Cap 281 also mandates local governments to regulate activities that pose a threat to public health, including excessive noise. However, the challenge remains in strict enforcement, as many urban areas, including Mubende, lack the necessary resources and commitment to uphold these laws.

Noise pollution is not just an inconvenience; it has far-reaching consequences on public health, security, and economic activity. Studies show that excessive noise contributes to stress, sleep disturbances, and reduced concentration levels, which impact both personal well-being and workplace efficiency. In business districts like Main Street, high-volume entertainment venues make it difficult for bank employees and customers to conduct transactions effectively. The presence of loud music near security-sensitive areas also poses a significant risk, as it can mask sounds of distress, alarms, or criminal activities. Security personnel rely on auditory signals such as gunfire, distress calls, or alarms to respond to emergencies elements that are drowned out by uncontrolled noise.

In residential areas such as Kirungi, Kagurumira and Kasenyi, excessive noise from bars and street gatherings disrupts sleep and affects family life. Students in educational institutions near noisy establishments face difficulties concentrating in class, ultimately affecting academic performance. In hospitals such as Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, excessive noise from surrounding entertainment spots and boda boda riders disrupts the peace needed for patients to recover. Medical research confirms that noise pollution increases stress levels, contributes to cardiovascular diseases, and worsens mental health conditions.

Uganda can adopt best practices from other countries to ensure effective noise pollution control while allowing entertainment businesses to thrive responsibly. In Rwanda the approach to noise pollution has been highly effective, the Environmental Management Authority (REMA) mandates entertainment spots to install soundproofing equipment or face closure. As a result, Kigali remains one of the quietest and most orderly cities in East Africa, where nightlife coexists with public order. In Ghana, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partnered with law enforcement agencies in 2021 to create a special noise pollution task force. This unit ensures that businesses comply with permissible noise levels, particularly in areas close to schools, hospitals, and residential zones. Uganda can learn from Ghana’s model by integrating environmental and security agencies to monitor and regulate noise pollution in towns like Mubende.

Mubende Municipality must take deliberate steps to address noise pollution, ensuring that urban growth does not come at the expense of public order and well-being. Authorities should work closely with NEMA to enforce noise pollution laws, ensuring compliance with set decibel limits. Financial penalties and closure orders should be imposed on establishments that violate noise regulations. Entertainment venues should be required to obtain noise control permits before being allowed to operate. These permits should include clear guidelines on acceptable noise levels and penalties for violations. Establishments that fail to comply should face revocation of licenses.

The introduction of noise monitoring devices in key areas such as Main Street, Kibaati, Kirungi and Kasenyi will allow authorities to track compliance and respond swiftly to violations. These devices can provide real-time data, ensuring that businesses and public institutions operate within legal noise levels. A collaboration between police and environmental agencies is necessary to monitor noise pollution, especially in sensitive areas such as banks, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods. Law enforcement officers should be empowered to intervene when noise pollution poses a security threat, ensuring that urban centers remain safe and orderly.

The noise pollution crisis in Mubende Municipality is a clear example of the challenges that come with urbanization. While economic development and a vibrant entertainment sector are essential for growth, they must not compromise public health, security, and business operations. Uganda has a solid legal framework for noise pollution control, but without strict enforcement, urban centers will continue to suffer the consequences of unchecked noise pollution. Policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and environmental bodies must take decisive steps to regulate noise pollution, ensuring that Mubende becomes a model for sustainable urban development in Uganda.

Amiri Wabusimba is a diplomatic Scholar, Journalist, political analyst and Human Right activist. Tel: +56775103895 email: Wabusimbaa@gmail.com.