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Namibian politician Adolf Hitler Uunona drops his controversial second name after winning fifth election term, citing personal reasons and international attention.
Controversial Name Change After Fifth Election Victory
Adolf Hitler Uunona, the Namibian politician who has gained international attention for his controversial name, has officially dropped his second name 'Hitler' following his fifth consecutive election victory. The 59-year-old councillor from the Ompundja constituency in Namibia's Oshana region told German news agency DPA that the names his father gave him 'neither reflect my character nor my ambitions'.
Political Success Despite Controversial Name
Uunona has served as councillor for the Ompundja constituency since 2004, representing the ruling SWAPO party. Despite the international attention surrounding his name, it hasn't hindered his political career. He won his most recent election on November 26, 2025, marking his fifth consecutive term in office. 'The name has never been an issue with my constituents,' Uunona stated in previous interviews.
Colonial Legacy and Name Origins
The naming reflects Namibia's complex colonial history. Between 1884 and 1915, Namibia was a German colony known as German South West Africa. During this period, Germany committed what many historians consider the first genocide of the 20th century against the Herero and Nama peoples. Uunona explained that his father likely had no understanding of who Adolf Hitler was when naming him. 'As a child, I thought it was a completely normal name,' he told German newspaper Bild during previous elections.
International Attention and Personal Decision
The politician has faced constant questions from international media about his name. 'I have to constantly answer questions from abroad about it,' he told DPA. His decision to drop the name comes after years of international scrutiny. Despite the name change, Uunona remains a popular figure in his constituency of fewer than 5,000 residents, having won his 2020 election with 85% of the vote according to electoral records.
Historical Context and Moving Forward
Namibia's relationship with Germany remains complex. The country only gained independence from South Africa in 1990 after a long struggle against apartheid. German influence persists in the country, with approximately 30,000 Namibians of German descent still speaking German according to Wikipedia data. Uunona's name change represents a personal step toward distancing himself from the historical associations while continuing his political service. 'It's about who I am as a person and what I stand for, not about a name from the past,' he emphasized.
