Politician changes name from ‘Adolf Hitler’ ahead of local election

In Namibia, a long-serving local official has decided it is time for a change, distancing himself from a name that has repeatedly drawn international attention.

The politician, who previously went by Adolf Hitler Uunona, says the decision is meant to avoid misunderstanding as he seeks another term in office.

Election shift

Speaking to The Namibian, the 69-year-old district administrator confirmed that he has removed the middle name from his passport.

Uunona is standing once again for the governing SWAPO party in Ompundja, the northern constituency where he won 85 per cent of the vote in 2020.

Despite carrying the notorious name, he has long been known locally as an anti-apartheid figure and a respected community representative.

His name has repeatedly made headlines abroad, often overshadowing his political work.

Past clarification

When global media covered his 2020 victory, Uunona addressed the issue directly.

“My father gave me this name Adolf Hitler, but it does not mean I have Adolf Hitler’s character,” he said at the time.

He stressed then that the name had caused no difficulties in his community, where German-influenced names remain relatively common.

Namibia’s history as a former German colony continues to shape cultural and linguistic traditions.

Media fascination

Coverage of Uunona has tended to resurface whenever elections approach or when his name circulates on social platforms.

International outlets often portray the story as a curiosity, prompting renewed interviews with the local politician.

Uunona has repeatedly said the attention distracts from issues affecting his constituency.

By removing the middle name, he hopes to shift public focus back to local governance.

Colonial legacy

Namibia, once known as German South West Africa, was under German rule from 1884 until 1915.

Place names, surnames and certain cultural references from that era remain visible in parts of the country.

Historians said that many families adopted German names without reference to the figures associated with them.

Sources: The Namibian, Mirror

This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation