Uganda

383 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

383

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

76

Highest risk

Endangered

121

Very high risk

Vulnerable

186

High risk

Declining

41%

156 species

Category Breakdown
CR 76
EN 121
VU 186
CR: 76
EN: 121
VU: 186

Critically Endangered

7620%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

12132%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

18649%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 383 species

Species by Group
🌱

plants

190

190 threatened

🐟

fishes

72

72 threatened

🐦

birds

34

34 threatened

🐾

mammals

31

31 threatened

🦗

insects

17

17 threatened

🐚

molluscs

16

16 threatened

🐢

reptiles

9

9 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

6

6 threatened

🐸

amphibians

3

3 threatened

🍄

fungi

3

3 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

2

2 threatened

Global Share

0.69%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#88

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

54

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Uganda's biodiversity significance stems from its position at the convergence of East and West African biogeographical zones, creating exceptional species endemism across its varied landscapes. The country encompasses portions of the Albertine Rift, recognized as one of Africa's most important biodiversity hotspots, alongside the Lake Victoria basin ecosystem. Uganda's montane forests in the Rwenzori Mountains and volcanic slopes of Mount Elgon harbor numerous endemic species, while the savanna-forest mosaic of Queen Elizabeth National Park supports diverse wildlife populations.

According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all four assessed species are threatened, with insects and plants showing 100% threat levels respectively. Primary threats include agricultural expansion into critical habitats, particularly around the fertile shores of Lake Victoria and volcanic soils. Deforestation for charcoal production and timber extraction pressures montane forest ecosystems.

Wetland drainage for rice cultivation threatens papyrus swamps and associated endemic species.

Uganda's National Biodiversity Strategy emphasizes ecosystem restoration, with recent gazettement of additional forest reserves. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has expanded community conservation programs, particularly around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. However, rapid population growth and agricultural intensification continue to fragment critical habitats.

Climate change impacts on montane ecosystems pose emerging risks to high-altitude endemic species, particularly in the Albertine Rift region.

Albertine Rift Montane ForestsLake Victoria BasinEast African SavannaPapyrus WetlandsAfromontane GrasslandsTropical Moist Forests
Top Threats
1.Annual & perennial non-timber crops189 species
2.Logging & wood harvesting147 species
3.Housing & urban areas84 species
4.Agricultural & forestry effluents73 species
5.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources71 species
6.Livestock farming & ranching69 species
7.Introduced genetic material53 species
8.Fire & fire suppression43 species

Protected Areas

33 areas · 28,593 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Uganda: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/UG

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Uganda?
Uganda has 383 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 76 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Uganda have?
Of the 383 threatened species in Uganda, 76 are Critically Endangered, 121 are Endangered, and 186 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Uganda?
Among the 76 Critically Endangered species in Uganda, Afrogyrorbis concavus is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Uganda?
Uganda has 33 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Queen Elizabeth Biosphere Reserve, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park, among 29 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Uganda?
The most affected groups in Uganda, by number of threatened species, are plants (190), fishes (72), and birds (34). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Uganda?
The leading threats to threatened species in Uganda are annual & perennial non-timber crops, logging & wood harvesting, housing & urban areas, and agricultural & forestry effluents. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Uganda?
Uganda has 54 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of Uganda's threatened species have declining populations?
156 of Uganda's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Uganda compare to other countries for threatened species?
Uganda ranks #88 of 250 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 0.69% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Uganda come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Uganda profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.