[1] There is disagreement however over taxonomy with many considering the Ugandan red colobus to be a subspecies (Procolobus rufomitratus tephrosceles).

It has a distribution spanning 1,000 km (620 mi) of East Africa but populations are only found in five separate forested areas.

[9] It is possible, though yet to be verified, that the Ugandan red colobus might also be located in Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Kibale National Park, Uganda, inhabited by the largest population, is a moist evergreen tropical forest.

The habitat of the Ugandan red colobus in the Mbisi Forest Reserve on the Ufipa Plateau is fragmented and severely degraded.

[6] Although uncommon the Ugandan red colobus has been observed eating bark, seeds and fruits, thought to be an important source of nutrients.

This natural imbalance is further exaggerated by the predatory action of common chimpanzees which single out females and juveniles as prey.

[16] It is not certain why the Ugandan red colobus forms these associations with other species but protection from predators is the most accepted reason.

[11] It also forms these associations more readily when there are a large number of young in the Ugandan red colobus group which implies it may be more protected when with the other species.

[17] Each year in Ngogo, part of Kibale National Park, up to 12% of the red colobus population is killed by chimpanzees.

[20] Crowned eagles prefer to prey on infants and young juveniles of the Ugandan red colobus.

Both monkey species's avoidance of capture has been attributed to their increased defence from forming interspecific associations.

[6] There is no distinct breeding season with infants being born all year round, however during the rainier months a peak in births is seen to coincide with the flush of new leaves for food.

[7] During copulation other group members sometimes harass the pair by making loud calls, lunging at or leaping around or onto the males back.