Two to three weeks ago, National Environment Management Authority and Kampala City Council decided to drag close to 40 bars and nightclubs to court over noise pollution. Once proven guilty, KCC will de-license their operations until they have been inspected and found satisfactory in conformity with the NEMA and city council regulations.

KCC Enforcement Officer Joseph Katungi said the culprits must change their behaviour or risk permanent closure of their businesses. This is not witchhunting or any form of political oriented attack but a move which will save lives if it is continuously implemented. So what is noise and when does one know it's dangerous or not?

Noise pollution (or environmental noise) is displeasing human- or machine-created sound that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life. A common form of noise pollution is from transportation, principally motor vehicles. Other sources are car alarms, office equipment, factory machinery, construction work, grounds keeping equipment, barking dogs, appliances, power tools, audio entertainment systems to mention but a few.

Noise or sound is measured in decibels, dB. The basic instrument used for the measuring of noise is the sound level metre. Chronic exposure to noise may cause noise induced hearing loss. High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects and exposure to moderately high levels during a single eight hour period causes a statistical rise in blood pressure of five to 10 points and an increase in stress and vasoconstriction leading to the increased blood pressure and increased incidence of coronary artery disease

Noise pollution is also a cause of annoyance.

A 2005 study by Spanish researchers found that in urban areas households are willing to pay approximately four Euros per decibel per year for noise reduction. Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals by causing stress, increasing risk of mortality by changing the delicate balance in predator/prey detection and avoidance, and by interfering with their use of sounds in communication especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation. Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.

An impact of noise on animal life is the reduction of usable habitat that noisy areas may cause, which in the case of endangered species may be part of the path to extinction. One of the best known cases of damage caused by noise pollution is the death of certain species of beached whales, brought on by the loud sound of military sonar. Before time runs out of hand, why not do the following to save ourselves.

First and foremost, entertainment hangouts should be relocated and far away from residential neighbourhoods or install noise deterrents in their premises. Secondly there should be a mandatory limit on how much noise should be generated in a particular area and at a particular time. Bars and other places that go beyond that should be fined heavily or closed down. NEMA has had frequent crackdowns but they don't seem to yield much.

Loud music from moving trucks advertising different shows or products should be banned. Why not carry out public sensitisation just like its been done on HIV/Aids. Its then that the public will learn how to put an end to pollution and ways of living within the specified safe sound environment. But at the end of the day, the real burden lies on us as individuals because without our personal efforts, the authorities can only do so much.

Mr Nkurunziza is an urban planner