Man sent to jail for noise pollution

By Sania Babirye

The  Standards, Utilities and Wildlife court has formally began  by handing Gerald Ssemwanga a two month jail sentence in Luzira prison  for  illegally operating  a broadcaster locally known as " kizindalo".

While sentencing him  chief Magistrate James Eremye Mawanda explained that  despite being warned by UCC to stop the public illegal broadcasting Ssemwanga continued to do so there causing noise pollution.

The magistrate further explained that his actions are not of a good character of a law abiding citizen but advised him to appeal the sentence in the high court if he is not satisfied.

Last month Ssemwanga  pleaded guilty  to installing and operating a radio apparatus without a license  which is contrary to section 27 of the UCC Act .

He was arrested  on the 27th of March 2017 from Kabawo zone in Kampala district  illegally broadcasting and had his equipment confiscated.

On the 8th of February 2017 UCC issued a  directive ordering all people operating the commonly Bizindalo without a license to dismantle  and take them down because they were operating illegally .