The visiting Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Mr Tomio Okamura, has named a newborn mountain gorilla ‘Thomas’ during a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, signaling a boost in bilateral relations and conservation awareness between Uganda and the European nation.
Mr Okamura, who holds the third-highest constitutional office in the Czech Republic, was accompanied on the trek by Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa.
Deeply moved by the experience, Mr Okamura explained that the name “Thomas” holds a personal connection to his own Czech heritage and pays tribute to his host.
‘My mother called me Tomáš because my Japanese name is Tomio, as my father is Japanese and my mother is from the Czech Republic. So you are also Thomas [Tayebwa]. It matches perfectly and should serve as a sign of our friendship,’ Mr Okamura said.
During the trek through the 331-square-kilometer UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwestern Uganda, the delegation encountered the Bitukura gorilla family.
Mr Okamura commended the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for its conservation efforts, noting that observing the primates offers profound lessons for humanity.
‘You could see how the mother looks after the baby-the care and attention she gives. Every day, they give us a reason to protect nature. They are endangered, and if we don’t protect them, one day we might also lose protection,’ Mr Okamura added.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa highlighted the encounter as an opportunity to push for both domestic tourism and international exposure. He urged Ugandans to prioritize exploring their own country over foreign travel.
‘I see very many Ugandans going to Dubai and elsewhere. First, come and see the beauty of our country,’ Mr Tayebwa said. ‘Gorilla trekking is the most exciting wildlife experience. I’ve done this four times now, but every time I come, the experience feels brand new.’
Mr Tayebwa reminded citizens that domestic gorilla trekking permits cost Shs300,000 for Ugandans, compared to $800 (about Shs2.9 million) for foreign non-residents, making it highly accessible to locals.
Beyond tourism, both leaders held discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, trade, and strategic partnerships.
Mr Tayebwa noted that Uganda plans to leverage major upcoming international events-including hosting the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly-to showcase its tourism potential to over 500 global delegates.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, international tourist arrivals in Uganda surged to 1.64 million, while domestic tourism participation reached 3.27 million. Total tourism earnings rose to Shs5.83 trillion ($1.62 billion), contributing 5.9% to the national GDP and supporting over 876,000 jobs across the country.