(Redirected from Union of National Progress)The 'Union for National Progress' (
French: ''Union pour le Progrès national'', UPRONA) is a
nationalist political party in
Burundi, receiving most of its support from members of the
Tutsi ethnic group. It is celebrated for its role in gaining Burundian independence. UPRONA's most famous
prime minister was Prince
Louis Rwagasore (assassinated in
1961). From that time until 1965, the party also had some
Hutu support, and three of its Hutu members, including
Pierre Ngendandumwe became prime minister of Burundi. The party was taken over by former President
Michel Micombero in a vicious coup d'etat and became a pillar of the
military dictatorship that ruled the country from
1966 to
1993.
UPRONA President
Pierre Buyoya handed over power to
Hutu leader
Domitien Ndayizeye of the
Front for Democracy in Burundi (a
Hutu-based party) on
30 April 2003.
At the legislative
elections in 2005, the party won 7.2 % and 15 out of 118 seats.
External link
★
UPRONA official Web site