What started as a personal friendship in the misty forests of Bwindi is evolving into a strategic international partnership. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura are moving to translate their personal rapport into concrete bilateral cooperation spanning defence, trade, agriculture, and education.
Following the conclusion of the week-long Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States–European Union (OACPS–EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels on Thursday, Tayebwa led a delegation of Ugandan MPs to Prague on Friday to meet Okamura.
During their talks, the two leaders mapped out practical ways to deepen ties between Kampala and Prague. Key focus areas include technology transfer, business-to-business partnerships, and capacity-building for public institutions.
“Our friendship with the Czech Republic is based on very clear principles of mutual understanding and respect for each other,” Tayebwa said, adding that the partnership must deliver tangible economic results. “We are looking forward to seeing more Czech businesses because we need them in our country.”
Defence cooperation emerged as a standout priority, with Okamura pledging strong backing for Czech defence firms looking to work with Uganda.
“Our governing coalition and I personally fully support the development of cooperation between Czech defence industry companies and Uganda,” Okamura stated.
To keep the momentum going, both leaders agreed to revitalize the Uganda-Czech Parliamentary Friendship Group as a permanent platform for legislative engagement.
The growing diplomatic warmth traces back to August, when Okamura visited Uganda for a gorilla-tracking expedition in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During the trip, he and Tayebwa jointly named a newborn mountain gorilla Tomáš—a gesture that has quickly become an emblem of the two nations’ budding relationship.
Reflecting on the trip, Okamura called the experience unforgettable and reaffirmed his commitment to serving as an unofficial tourism ambassador for Uganda. “I will continue to promote the beauty of Uganda among the Czech people,” he said.
Looking ahead, Tayebwa formally invited Okamura and a delegation of Czech officials to visit Uganda next year to build on their discussions.
Tayebwa was accompanied in Prague by MPs Dicksons Kateshumbwa (Sheema Municipality), Paul Omara (Otuke County), Shyam J. Tanna (Tororo Municipality), and Joan Namutaawe (Masaka District Woman MP).
