Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has applauded the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Tomio Okamura, for promoting Uganda’s tourism industry by taking part in mountain gorilla trekking.
Okamura, who is visiting Uganda, joined Tayebwa and other delegates for a gorilla trekking expedition in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda over the weekend.
Tayebwa said Okamura had effectively appointed himself an ambassador for Uganda’s tourism after experiencing the country’s gorilla trekking adventure.
“He has appointed himself ambassador of tourism for Uganda and he has promised that he is going to do whatever he can to tell the story of Uganda—how beautiful we are as a country and why everyone should come and visit Uganda,” Tayebwa told Parliament on Tuesday.
Okamura and a delegation from the Czech Republic followed proceedings of the plenary sitting from the visitors’ gallery, where they were introduced to MPs by Tayebwa.
The Deputy Speaker said Okamura’s decision to visit Uganda was a vote of confidence in the country, particularly at a time when some countries have issued travel restrictions on Uganda following reports of an Ebola outbreak.
“It is a very strong message to the rest of the world that our country is safe and secure,” Tayebwa said.
However, Tayebwa said Uganda needed to do more to market its tourism attractions beyond gorilla trekking, noting that many potential visitors remain unaware of the country’s diverse tourism products.
“He did not know that he can do safari in Uganda. He first went to another country, did safari and then came to Uganda to do gorilla trekking. That means we need to do a lot to market and package our country so that we are known beyond gorilla trekking,” he said.
Poor roads
Tayebwa also urged the Ministry of Works and Transport to prioritise improvement of roads leading to tourism sites across the country.
He said poor road infrastructure forces tourists to spend long hours travelling to some of the country’s attractions.
“It is very important that we fix the roads. I am told that government has very good plans for tourism roads and I hope we can expedite these and work on the roads,” Tayebwa said.
Boniface Okot (NRM, Kole South County) thanked Mr Okamura for promoting Uganda’s tourism and urged MPs to take on the role of tourism ambassadors.
“I know in the tourism sector one of the initiatives is having high-profile tourists and I encourage the MPs to interest more high-profile tourists to visit Uganda,” Okot said.
He said a proposed Parliamentary Tourism Week in February 2027 would provide an opportunity for legislators to participate more actively in promoting the sector.
“This is important in allowing Members to participate in this sector that will have our economy running,” Okot said.
Free park entry
The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nakawuki, urged Ugandans to take advantage of the planned open national park days from September 25 to 27, 2026.
“During those days, entrance to the national parks is free for Ugandans and foreign residents in Uganda,” Nakawuki said.
She also encouraged MPs to participate in the naming of gorillas and rhinos, an initiative that requires contributions ranging between US$20,000 and US$50,000.
The initiative, she said, would help promote Uganda’s tourism industry while generating revenue for conservation.
