Police urges event organisers to respect public order

Event organisers in the country should seek permission from the concerned authorities to organise social events to avoid public disorder, Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege, has said. He was responding to a story published yesterday in The New Times titled: “Police foils Kalimba’s Homecoming Party”. Badege clarified that Police did not foil the party dubbed “Grown & Sexy Saturdays” at Bamboo Restaurant as reported.He instead blamed the organisers, Oxygen Communication Ltd, a local events company, for failing to produce a letter from the district authorities, permitting them to stage the show. “We often receive public complaints about noise in their neighbourhoods,” said Supt Badege. “So we go there to ascertain whether the show is in a residential area or whether the organisers sought permission from the relevant authorities to organise the event. If not, we ask them to stop the show but if it’s about to end, we ask them to reduce the noise”. However, he added, it does not matter whether the event is in a residential area or a public place, the noise has to be moderated not to interfere with other people’s freedom.“Even the police, are supportive of social event. We’re only asking event organisers to go through proper channels while organising such events”.He said whoever wants to perform or organise a social event in a public place, has to seek permission from district authorities, and the district gives a copy of authorisation letter to the police.“The police’s main goal is to provide security and create a crime free event,” Supt Badege emphasised.He noted that late social events can also be restricted within the proximity of residential areas if they do not have soundproofs.“I urge businesses, public sector as well as the Ministry of culture and Sports to promote the social scene by designating areas where such entertainment activities can be held from,” he added.According to the Rwandan Penal Code article 600 (night disturbance); “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 (8) days to two (2) months and a fine of fifty thousand (Rwf50,000) to one million (Rwf1, 000,000) or one of these penalties.

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Police urges event organisers to respect public order