Uganda says it will send an additional 250 soldiers to Somalia to train forces loyal to the Somali interim government.

Ugandan defense officials announced the move to parliament on Wednesday. They said the training is part of the mandate of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

The AU has promised 8,000 peacekeepers for the war-ravaged country. But so far, only Uganda has sent troops.

Those 1500 troops have largely stayed out of the Somali capital's chronic violence, focusing on protecting the airport, seaport, and presidential palace.

Witnesses in the Somali capital say a landmine explosion in northern Mogadishu Thursday, killed two policemen and wounded three other people.

The 250 soldiers will increase Uganda's contingent in Somalia to 1750 troops.

Ugandan officials said the new troops will deploy as soon as the Somali government works out the logistics for their stay.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.