Tayebwa, Czech speaker, discusses enhanced cooperation, business opportunities
According to a release from Tayebwa's office, the two leaders and their teams discussed opportunities to expand cooperation and establish practical partnerships between Czech and Uganda.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa presents a gift to Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura during a visit to Prague, Czech Republic. (Courtesy)
___________________ Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (right) with Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura (left) during a visit to Prague, Czech Republic. (Courtesy)
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura have discussed partnerships between Uganda and the Czech Republic, with defence, agriculture, trade, education and parliamentary cooperation among the priority areas.
Following the conclusion of the week-long Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States–European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly meetings in Brussels on Thursday, Tayebwa, accompanied by some members of parliament, visited Okamura in Prague, the Czech capital, on Friday. The Uganda team included legislators: Dicksons Kateshumbwa, MP for Sheema Municipality; Paul Omara, MP for Otuke County; Shyam J. Tanna, MP for Tororo Municipality; and Joan Namutaawe, Woman MP for Masaka District.
According to a release from Tayebwa's office, the two leaders and their teams discussed opportunities to expand cooperation and establish practical partnerships between Czech and Uganda.
Tayebwa and his host also examined ways to strengthen the Uganda-Czech Parliamentary Friendship Group to provide a platform for sustained engagement and cooperation between the two parliaments.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura share a toast during a visit to Prague, Czech Republic. (Courtesy)
Tayebwa said the cooperation should deliver tangible economic and institutional benefits for both countries.
"We are looking forward to seeing more Czech businesses because we need them in our country," he said.
From personal friendship to stronger bilateral relations
Okamura visited Uganda in August for a gorilla-tracking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During the visit, the two leaders jointly named a newborn mountain gorilla Tomáš, which has since become a symbol of their friendship and an opportunity to strengthen ties between Uganda and the Czech Republic.
Recalling the experience, Okamura described the visit as unforgettable and said he hoped the gorilla would remain a lasting symbol of Czech-Ugandan friendship.
He also recalled being described as an unofficial ambassador for Ugandan tourism during his visit, pledging to continue promoting the country's natural beauty among the Czech people.
Saying that there is always a lot to explore in Uganda, Tayebwa extended an invitation to Okamura and a delegation of Czech officials to visit Uganda next year.