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KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Ugandan officials say they are offended that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has praised former dictator Idi Amin.

Officials including President Yoweri Museveni's secretary Tamale Mirundi say Amin ruled brutally in the 1970s. Chavez on Friday called the East African dictator a nationalist and a patriot.

Mirundi countered on Sunday with Amin's record of torturing and killing opponents including one of his wives. James Kizza Baliruno said he was offended by the praise as Amin's soldiers killed both of his parents in front of him when he was 4 years old.

Ugandan officials did not say whether they would take any action. Venezuela has no embassy in Uganda.

Chavez has said that Venezuela is looking into energy investment in Africa.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-22-09 0446CST | save this article / add to your favorites list