(JUBA) – The body of Major General Mary Akuch Panyang, the wife of South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Michael Makuei Lueth, was laid to rest on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, in her hometown of Bor, the capital of Jonglei State.
Major General Panyang passed away on Friday, 11 July 2025, at Gudele Hospital in Juba after suffering complications related to heart disease. Her passing was met with deep sorrow from government officials, military colleagues and the wider public, particularly those who knew her contributions to the country’s liberation struggle.
Family representative Mr Ateny Pech confirmed that final funeral prayers will be held on Saturday in three locations: Juba, Bor and Kampala. These services are intended to accommodate mourners from across South Sudan and the diaspora.
Mary Akuch Panyang was one of South Sudan’s pioneering women in military service. As a high ranking officer and veteran of the liberation war, she earned widespread respect for her role during the country’s long road to independence. She also served as a symbol of commitment and leadership among women in uniform during and after the war.
She was the sister of Philip Aguer, the former Governor of Jonglei State, further highlighting her long-standing ties to both military and political service in South Sudan.
Officials who attended the burial in Bor praised her legacy and described her as a courageous figure whose service would be remembered for generations.
