Tomio Okamura chose the Czech name “Tomáš” for a newborn mountain gorilla during his Bwindi visit, with Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa saying the encounter highlighted Uganda’s conservation and tourism potential.
Kampala, Uganda: Speaker of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Tomio Okamura has named a newborn mountain gorilla “Tomáš” during his visit to Uganda, describing the name as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
Okamura proposed the name while trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda, where he was accompanied by Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa.
When Tayebwa invited him to suggest a name for the newborn gorilla, Okamura proposed “Tomáš”, explaining that while Tomio is a Japanese name, Tomáš is a Czech name and translates to Thomas in English, coincidentally matching Tayebwa’s Christian name.
“Something like Tomáš,” Okamura said when asked to name the baby gorilla.
He said the name would preserve a personal memory of his visit to Uganda while also representing the relationship he hopes to build between the two countries. “It should be a start, or a sign, of our friendship and help build our relations.”
Okamura has served as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic since November 2025.
Tayebwa thanked the Czech parliamentary leader for visiting Uganda, saying the trip offered an opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism potential to the Czech Republic and Europe.
He said gorilla trekking remains a unique experience for him despite having visited the habitat several times. “For me, it always feels like the first time whenever I come here,” Tayebwa said.
He said observing the gorillas, including the way they care for their young, reinforces the importance of protecting Uganda’s natural heritage. “We learn a lot from them. But every day, they give you a reason to protect nature,” he added.
Tayebwa also encouraged Ugandans to explore attractions within the country instead of travelling abroad in search of tourism experiences. “I urge Ugandans to come here and tour our country,” he said. “I see very many going to Dubai. Going where? First, come and see the beauty of our country.”
He noted that Ugandan citizens pay considerably less for gorilla trekking permits than international visitors, making the experience more accessible to locals.
The Deputy Speaker further said Uganda would use upcoming international engagements to promote its tourism attractions, including the planned hosting of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly next year.
According to Tayebwa, the meeting is expected to bring more than 500 delegates from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to Uganda.
“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.
Tayebwa currently serves as President of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and Co-President of the OACPS-EU parliamentary assembly.
Strengthening Uganda-Czech tourism ties
Okamura said Uganda and the Czech Republic have complementary tourism attractions that could provide a basis for stronger relations between the two countries.
He singled out Prague, the Czech capital, as a major tourist destination and compared its appeal with Uganda’s mountain gorilla tourism.
“Prague is a top destination. A top tourist destination,” Okamura said. “Gorilla trekking is also world top. So this is two top things.”
The visit comes amid efforts to strengthen Uganda’s international tourism profile and deepen relations with European partners.
Tayebwa also expressed appreciation to Uganda’s embassy in Germany, particularly Ambassador Steven Mubiru and his team, for facilitating Okamura’s visit.
The naming of the newborn gorilla “Tomáš” therefore provided a symbolic moment during the Czech parliamentary leader’s visit, linking Uganda’s conservation heritage with efforts to strengthen diplomatic, tourism and people-to-people relations between the two countries.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
