orig. Thakin Nu
born May 25, 1907, Wakema, Burma
died Feb. 14, 1995, Yangôn, Myanmar
Burmese independence leader and prime minister of Burma (Myanmar; 1948–58, 1960–62).
A prominent nationalist activist since his student days, U Nu became the first prime minister of independent Burma in 1948. Though an able statesman, he was plagued by ethnic-minority insurrections and economic difficulties. He resigned in 1958, was reinstated in 1960, and was overthrown and imprisoned by Ne Win in 1962. After his release he organized resistance to Ne Win. He made an unsuccessful bid for power after Ne Win's government fell in 1988.