By Sahal Abdulle

MOGADISHU, March 19 (Reuters) - A barrage of mortar bombs on the Somali capital Mogadishu late on Monday killed at least two people and wounded several in what residents said was the heaviest bombardment for weeks.

A mother and daughter died in one neighbourhood as more than 20 rounds crashed into areas including the Bakara Market, the police transport headquarters and streets around the seaport where Ugandan peacekeepers earlier set up defences.

"Six mortars were fired at the seaport, but they missed," said resident Osman Ibrahim.

Government forces and Ethiopian troops fired back with artillery, he added. Five people were wounded in the market, and at least three others hurt elsewhere.

Near daily attacks have been blamed on hardline remnants of an Islamist movement defeated two months ago. The United Nations says more than 40,000 people fled the capital in February alone.

About 1,200 African Union peacekeepers from Uganda on Monday tightened security at the seaport ahead of a delivery of military hardware.

Somalia's interim government says the coming two weeks will be crucial in proving it can get the security situation in Mogadishu under control so the city to host a meeting of clan leaders and former warlords next month.

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