{Religious based organizations operating within the City Of Kigali, on September 17, were involved in a dialogue which security organs, on devising means to reduce noise pollution originating from these institutions. }
The meeting held at Hotel La pallises-Nyandungu, was also attended by the Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana and a massive number of over 500 religious leaders operating from the three districts of the city.
“Freedom of worship, as provided in the national constitution, should not hinder public rights, the law stipulates that clearly,” Harerimana said
Minister added that, “The biggest problem is using loud speakers (In worship). I tried to read through the Bible and Quran, I did not find anywhere, Jesus or Muhammad used loud speakers. What we are using was made by people and so, they should be guided by people”.
According to Rwanda Governance board report, Kigali City has over 500 registered Religious based organizations/ministries; however, there are some organizations that are not registered by RGB, though operating on the sectoral directives, while in process of acquiring full registration.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in Charge of Operations said “Noise pollution is one of the raising issues we have received from the public, and they welcome the partnership”.
“Most of the complaints we have received in the recent past are on noise pollution, many people tell us that they no longer sleep because of the noise from churches”. DIGP Munyuza added.
“What we think, as police, is that churches should respect order of the society, and rights of the public. We don’t want churches to be sources of complain from the public, yet we consider them exemplary in the society,” said Munyuza.
Article 600 of the Penal code states that, 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 Rwf 50,000 to Rwf 1 million or one of these penalties.
The Deputy Commissioner of CID, Assistant Commissioner of Police Tony Kuramba underlined a number of Churches around the city that are not efficient enough to be operating in terms of safety and hygiene or they are producing “too much noise” to the nearby homesteads.
A few of the Churches revealed by the Police include; Redeemed Gospel Church-Nyakabanda, Abakurikiye Yesu, Shiloh Prayer Mountain, ADEPR Kimisagara, Patmos of Faith-Kimisagara and Horebu Holy Church-Kimisagara, among others.
Fidel Ndayisaba, Mayor of Kigali city, talking about safety and hygiene of worshiping centers, said that, “it is good to worship, but it is also good to worship from good places”.
“When you gather many people together, it is very possible that even Satan would come in hence causing insecurity and other risks. You have to implement, among other things, toilets, soundproof system, as well as fire-free premises,” Ndayisaba argued religious leaders.
{{Some of the Resolutions from the Dialogue}}
Churches/Ministries operating without certified documents will stop with immediate effect.
Noise that goes beyond religious organizations’ premises should stop with immediate effect and churches should also, install noise proof structures.
Religious leaders should continue partnering with security organs in the campaign to fight human trafficking and drug abuse.
The same dialogue with happen regularly in the span of three months at district levels and every six months at city level.
Evangelism should be done in proper order, and in designated places, not in public places.
Church owners and representatives resolved that no organization will produce sound that go beyond its perimeters.
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