Dr Labanya, new Trade and Industry Minister|Courtesy

Dr. Labanya Margaret Mathya Ugila is a South Sudanese government official with more than three decades of experience in public service, administration and national development. Her appointment as Minister of Trade and Industry comes at a time when the country is seeking to strengthen its economy, promote diversification and attract investment.

Dr. Labanya has a strong academic background in business and development. She holds a PhD in Development and Peace, with a focus on security and business, from the University of Juba. She also obtained both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration from Makerere University.

With over 30 years of professional experience, she has served in several key government institutions, including the National Bureau of Statistics and the Ministries of Education, Petroleum, and Information, Telecommunication and Postal Services. She has held senior positions, including Director General for Administration and Finance, where she worked on governance, institutional management and public sector reform.

Before her ministerial appointment, Dr. Labanya served as Director of Corporate Affairs at the National Communication Authority (NCA), where she worked on improving institutional performance, public image and stakeholder engagement.

Her areas of expertise include business administration, policy development, ICT and telecommunications, as well as the oil and commercial sectors. She also has experience in humanitarian work and development programming.

An IT specialist by training, she is skilled in survey methodology, customer and business design, and engagement with donors and development partners. She is multilingual, speaking English, Arabic, Kiswahili, Acholi and Luganda.

Following her appointment, the National Communication Authority praised her leadership, describing it as “inspiring and impactful,” and expressed confidence in her ability to serve in her new role.

Her appointment is seen as a step aimed at strengthening South Sudan’s economic leadership and advancing trade and industrial development.