KAMPALA — The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Mr Tomio Okamura, has named a newborn mountain gorilla “Tomáš” during his visit to Uganda, describing the gesture as a symbol of friendship and growing relations between the two countries.
Mr Okamura proposed the name while trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda, where he was accompanied by Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa.
The Czech parliamentary leader was invited by Mr Tayebwa to name the newborn gorilla, prompting him to suggest “Tomáš”, a common Czech name that translates to Thomas in English.
The choice also carried a personal connection because Thomas is Mr Tayebwa’s Christian name.
“Something like Tomáš,” Mr Okamura said when asked what name he would give the baby gorilla.
He explained that the name would preserve a lasting memory of his visit to Uganda while symbolising the friendship he hopes to build between the two countries.
“It should be a start, or a sign, of our friendship and help build our relations,” he said.
Mr Okamura has served as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic since November 2025.
A symbol beyond conservation
Mr Tayebwa thanked the Czech parliamentary leader for visiting Uganda, saying the encounter provided an opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism potential to visitors from the Czech Republic and the wider European market.
He said gorilla trekking continues to offer him a unique experience despite having visited Bwindi several times.
“For me, it always feels like the first time whenever I come here,” Mr Tayebwa said.
He said observing the gorillas, particularly their interaction with and care for their young, reinforces the need to protect Uganda’s natural heritage.
“We learn a lot from them. But every day, they give you a reason to protect nature,” he said.
The visit also renewed calls for Ugandans to explore the country’s tourism attractions rather than spending money travelling abroad in search of experiences available locally.
“I urge Ugandans to come here and tour our country. I see very many going to Dubai. Going where? First, come and see the beauty of our country,” Mr Tayebwa said.
He noted that Ugandan citizens pay significantly less for gorilla trekking permits than international visitors, making the experience more accessible to local tourists.
Uganda targets international tourism boost
Mr Tayebwa said Uganda would also use upcoming international engagements to showcase its tourism attractions and other investment opportunities.
Among the major events expected to raise Uganda’s international profile is the planned hosting of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, which is expected to attract more than 500 delegates from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Mr Tayebwa currently serves as President of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and Co-President of the OACPS-EU parliamentary assembly.
He said the gathering would provide Uganda with another opportunity to expose international visitors to the country’s tourism potential.
Czech Republic eyes stronger tourism ties
Mr Okamura said Uganda and the Czech Republic have complementary tourism attractions that could provide a foundation for stronger relations between the two countries.
He highlighted Prague, the Czech capital, as one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations and drew a comparison between the city’s attractions and Uganda’s mountain gorilla experience.
“Prague is a top destination. A top tourist destination,” he said. “Gorilla trekking is also world top. So this is two top things.”
The visit comes as Uganda seeks to strengthen its tourism profile in international markets and deepen diplomatic and people-to-people relations with European countries.
Mr Tayebwa also commended Uganda’s embassy in Germany, particularly Ambassador Steven Mubiru and his team, for facilitating Mr Okamura’s visit.
The naming of the newborn gorilla Tomáš provided a memorable highlight of the visit, combining Uganda’s conservation story with a symbolic gesture of friendship between Uganda and the Czech Republic.
Beyond the name itself, the encounter offered Uganda an opportunity to use one of its most celebrated conservation successes, the mountain gorilla, to strengthen tourism diplomacy, attract international visitors and deepen ties with European partners.