Tourism
Czech parliament speaker names baby gorilla ‘Tomáš’ during Uganda visit
Okamura proposed the name while trekking mountain gorillas in Kisoro district in south-western Uganda, saying it would serve as a symbol of friendship between Uganda and the Czech Republic.
Tomio Okamura (right), Speaker of the Parliament of the Czech Republic with Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (left) while trekking mountain gorillas in Kisoro district in south-western Uganda. (Courtesy)
By: Nelson Kiva, Journalist @New Vision
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Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, has named a newborn mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ‘Tomáš’ during his visit to Uganda.
He said the name was a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
Okamura proposed the name while trekking mountain gorillas in Kisoro district in south-western Uganda. He was accompanied by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
Okamura said the name reflected his Czech identity and the relationship he hopes to build between the two countries.
“Something like Tomáš,” Okamura said when Tayebwa asked him to propose a name for the newborn gorilla.
Tomio is a Japanese name, while Tomáš is Czech. In English, it becomes Thomas, which is also Tayebwa’s Christian name.
Okamura said the name would remind him of his visit for years to come and serve as a symbol of friendship between Uganda and the Czech Republic.
“It should be a start, or a sign, of our friendship and help build our relations,” he said.
Tayebwa thanked Okamura for making the trip, saying the visit gave Uganda an opportunity to promote itself to the Czech Republic and Europe more broadly.
He said gorilla tracking never gets old for him, regardless of how many times he has done it.
“For me, it always feels like the first time whenever I come here. This was one of many visits for him. Every time I come, the experience feels new because we are interacting with our cousins,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa said watching the gorillas, including how they care for a young baby, reminded him of the importance of conservation.
“We learn a lot from them. But every day, they give you a reason to protect nature.”
He also encouraged Ugandans to explore their own country before travelling abroad.
“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,” Tayebwa said.
Okamura said the name would remind him of his visit for years to come and serve as a symbol of friendship between Uganda and the Czech Republic.
“It should be a start, or a sign, of our friendship and help build our relations,” he said.
Tayebwa thanked Okamura for making the trip, saying the visit gave Uganda an opportunity to promote itself to the Czech Republic and Europe more broadly.
He said gorilla tracking never gets old for him, regardless of how many times he has done it.
“For me, it always feels like the first time whenever I come here. This was one of many visits for him. Every time I come, the experience feels new because we are interacting with our cousins,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa said watching the gorillas, including how they care for a young baby, reminded him of the importance of conservation.
“We learn a lot from them. But every day, they give you a reason to protect nature.”
He also encouraged Ugandans to explore their own country before travelling abroad.
“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,” Tayebwa said.
He noted that Ugandan citizens pay significantly less than foreign tourists for gorilla trekking permits, describing this as an opportunity for more Ugandans to experience one of the country’s major tourism attractions.
Tayebwa said Uganda plans to use upcoming international events to promote its tourism potential globally.
He mentioned Uganda’s expected hosting of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)–European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly next year, which is expected to bring more than 500 delegates from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Tayebwa is OACPS president and co-president of the OACPS–EU assembly.
“We hope to host the EU-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Parliament next year in Uganda, where we will be having over 500 delegates from all over Europe and the rest of the world,” he said.
Okamura said Uganda’s gorilla tourism and Prague, the Czech capital, give the two countries opportunities to build stronger ties.
“Prague is a top destination. A top tourist destination,” he said. “Gorilla trekking is also world top. So these are the two top things.”
Tayebwa thanked Uganda’s embassy in Germany, particularly Ambassador Steven Mubiru and his team, for organising Okamura’s trip.
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Tayebwa said Uganda plans to use upcoming international events to promote its tourism potential globally.
He mentioned Uganda’s expected hosting of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)–European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly next year, which is expected to bring more than 500 delegates from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Tayebwa is OACPS president and co-president of the OACPS–EU assembly.
“We hope to host the EU-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Parliament next year in Uganda, where we will be having over 500 delegates from all over Europe and the rest of the world,” he said.
Okamura said Uganda’s gorilla tourism and Prague, the Czech capital, give the two countries opportunities to build stronger ties.
“Prague is a top destination. A top tourist destination,” he said. “Gorilla trekking is also world top. So these are the two top things.”
Tayebwa thanked Uganda’s embassy in Germany, particularly Ambassador Steven Mubiru and his team, for organising Okamura’s trip.