Uganda’s tourism and conservation sector has received a boost after Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa joined Speaker of the Senate of the Czech Republic Rt. Hon. Tomio Okamura for a gorilla trekking experience in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The two parliamentary leaders assisted by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) team, travelled to Rushaga in Rubuguri, where they ventured into the forest for a close encounter with Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas.
Okamura, who is visiting Uganda, got an opportunity to experience firsthand one of the country’s most renowned tourism attractions. The experience has given the two leaders a closer look at the work involved in protecting the gorillas and their natural habitat.
Both Tayebwa and Okamura were seen impressed by the experience. They have pledged to promote Uganda’s tourism attractions and share their experiences with people beyond the country.
Their visit to Bwindi went beyond gorilla trekking, the delegation also visited the Nkuringo Cultural Centre, where they were welcomed by members of the Batwa community.
This cultural encounter has given them an opportunity to learn about the traditions and heritage of the indigenous community and its longstanding connection to the Bwindi landscape.
The leaders also took part in a tree-planting exercise, with each planting a tree as a symbol of their visit and their shared commitment to environmental conservation.
For Tayebwa, the visit was also an opportunity to reaffirm his support for communities living around Bwindi.
He pledged to support community initiatives in Nkuringo and emphasised the importance of ensuring that people living around protected areas benefit from conservation and tourism activities.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Uganda’s most important tourism destinations and is home to a significant population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in the park continues to attract visitors from across the globe, generating revenue for the tourism sector while supporting conservation and surrounding communities.
The visit by the two parliamentary leaders therefore brought together three important aspects of Uganda’s tourism story: wildlife conservation, community development and international tourism promotion.
By experiencing gorilla trekking themselves, Tayebwa and Okamura were able to see firsthand why Bwindi remains one of Uganda’s most valuable tourism assets. Thanks to UWA guides and rangers that offered them the best hospitality and guidance.
