UGANDA | SLOVENIAN SPEAKER | VISIT | ZOO

An emotional Urska Klakocar Zupancic, the Speaker of Slovenia's Parliament, expressed gratitude for the care she and her entourage received both from Ugandans and the animals at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Centre (UWEC).

She made a courtesy visit to the animal centre in Entebbe municipality in the company of Martin Mugarra, the state tourism minister, on Tuesday afternoon.

Zupancic was welcomed by Dr. James Musinguzi, the UWEC executive director.

He led the visiting team on a tour of the facility centre, a visit that lasted for more than six hours.

Her interaction with the animals there led the Slovenian Speaker to name one of the rescued chimpanzees after her: Urska.

"I thank you for preserving wildlife and the environment in Africa because this is good for our children and grandchildren. Uganda is a rich country because it has people who are rich in goodness, and this is the best that one can have," she told UWEC officials.

Urška Klakočar Zupančič (centre) the Speaker of Slovenian Parliament in company of Mojca Setinc Pasek a legislator in her parliament feeding an elephant at UWEC during their visit to the animal centre on Tuesday

"You know, richness is not measured by how big the country is, or how much money it has. It is measured by the warmth of people's hearts, and I feel so welcome here."

Zupancic lauded the tourism minister and UWEC management for granting her a close-up opportunity with the animals at the centre saying, it was a dream come true.

"I named the young female chimpanzee Urska because it's a name of strength, power, and resilience to show that we will keep fighting for this world to preserve it for our children."

The visiting legislator promised to return to Uganda with her family and some Slovenian parliamentarians in November this year.

"I am coming back with my two children so that they experience this, hoping that they will be able to build relationships with everything that is existing on this earth."

Zupancic donated €300 (sh1.2 million) towards the animals' welfare at UWEC and promised to be remitting some amount of money every month towards the same.

'Continent of the future'

Earlier, the Slovenian Speaker met with her Ugandan counterpart, Anita Among, with the two influential women discussing trade and partnerships between Uganda and the Central European nation.

"I believe that we have to open doors not only in Europe but also to other continents, especially Africa, which is a continent of the future," said Zupancic.

She expressed hopes that Slovenia would start trading with Uganda, describing the latter as the producer of the best coffee in the world.

Martin Mugarra (left) the minister of State for Tourism handing over souvenir in form of a magazine and calender to the Slovenian Speaker Urska Klakocar in presence of Dr. James Musinguzi the UWEC executive director

The high-profile visitor described Slovenia as a high-tech country, which she hopes can exchange such technology with Uganda.

She also revealed that her nation is set to begin celebrating African Days, starting on April 20 this year, where Africans in Slovenia will gather to discuss issues related to environmental conservation, among other topics of global concern.

UWEC's James Musinguzi said Entebbe Zoo has cemented a relationship with the Speaker and Slovenia as a whole, in line with conservation.

"We look forward to more partnerships, and plans are underway for Entebbe Zoo to partner with the zoo in Slovenia, where we shall be exchanging staff, knowledge, and animals in conservation efforts."

Minister Mugarra said that the Slovenian speaker will become an ambassador not only for UWEC but also for all of Uganda's wildlife.

He pointed out some of the unique tourist attractions such as Lake Victoria, the River Nile, Murchison Falls, the rich flora and fauna, the cultural diversity, and the beautiful weather conditions that Uganda is endowed with.

"They are uniquely ours," said Magarra.

While at the Entebbe Zoo, the Speaker fed giraffes, and chimpanzees, and had direct contact with a donkey, and camel, among other animals before she enjoyed dinner on the beach line,

She tracks gorillas and visits several other attractions across the country when she returns the in November.