Tutsi-supported political party in Burundi which was the only permitted party under the dictatorship of President Michel Micombero from 1966 to 1993. Hutu ethnic group participation was tolerated in the party until ethnic hatred exploded in the Burundian Civil War (1993 to 2005).
UPRONA was at the forefront of Burundian independence from Belgium and led an independent Burundi in 1961 through its Prime Minister, Crown Prince Louis Rwagasore (his murder later that year at the age of 29 at the hands of Hutu assassins is said to have sparked Hutu-Tutsi divisions in the country). In spite of this, three Hutu members of the party later became Prime Ministers of Burundi [Union pour le Progrès national (UPRONA)].
