Haji Ali Amin, who has held no previous political post. is hoping to become mayor of Njeru, which is some 80 kilometres from Kampala.

The elections take place on 4 January, along with others throughout the country.

During Idi Amin's rule in the 1970s, up to half a million Ugandans were killed.

Others were imprisoned and tortured and the country's many Asians were expelled.

Bad press

But Ali Amin told the BBC's Network Africa that his father's reputation would not count against him in the election.

"The people don't have any problem with my father," he said, blaming the media for giving him a bad press.

We talk from time to time and he gives me advice

Haji Ali Amin

The 38-year-old businessman and transporter denied that he was aiming for higher office and said that his goals were just to develop the Njeru area.

He refused to say whether he supported President Yoweri Museveni's movement, or no-party, system or advocated a return to multi-party politics.

Ali Amin, who returned to Uganda in 1984, said that his father, currently in exile in Saudi Arabia, was backing his bid.

"We talk from time to time and he gives me advice," he said.