Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura are working to turn their personal friendship into a broader partnership 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 a delegation of MPs, visited Okamura in Prague, the Czech capital, on Friday.
The two leaders discussed opportunities to expand cooperation and establish practical partnerships between Czech and Uganda.
“Our friendship with the Czech Republic is based on very clear principles of mutual understanding and respect for each other,” Tayebwa said.
They explored cooperation in agriculture, education, trade and investment, with an emphasis on technology transfer, partnerships between companies and capacity-building for public institutions.
Okamura expressed support for greater cooperation between Czech defence companies and Uganda.
“Our governing coalition and I personally fully support the development of cooperation between Czech defence industry companies and Uganda,” he said.
They also discussed strengthening the Uganda-Czech Parliamentary Friendship Group to provide a platform for sustained engagement and cooperation between the two parliaments.
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.
“I will continue to promote the beauty of Uganda among the Czech people,” he said.
As a practical step towards sustaining the engagement, Tayebwa extended an invitation to Okamura and a delegation of Czech officials to visit Uganda next year.
Tayebwa was accompanied by Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa, MP for Sheema Municipality; Hon. Paul Omara, MP for Otuke County; Hon. Shyam J. Tanna, MP for Tororo Municipality; and Hon. Joan Namutaawe, Woman MP for Masaka District.
