Washington D.C., May 18, 1999—Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan announced today that the Peace Corps has suspended its program in Uganda because of ongoing concerns about volunteer security. All volunteers and American staff have been safely evacuated to Kenya.
"Volunteer health and safety remains the Peace Corps\' highest priority," said Gearan. "The Peace Corps has a long-standing commitment to development in Uganda and has maintained excellent relationships with the Ugandan people. Therefore, our decision to suspend the program was not easily reached and was made with sincere regret. We hope that future circumstances will permit our return."
All 43 Peace Corps volunteers from Uganda are now in Nairobi, Kenya, where they will take part in a transition conference to complete their service. The Peace Corps volunteers in Uganda were working on conservation, education, and small business projects.
Currently, nearly 6,700 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 78 countries in the environment, education, health and nutrition, business, and agriculture. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.