Encephalartos macrostrobilus is assessed as Critically Endangered. The species is only known from the vicinity of the Era Central Forest Reserve and areas adjacent to the reserve near Moyo, Uganda. It grows in savanna communities very susceptible to grazing and agriculture. Its extent of occurrence (EOO =13.3 km²) falls within the limits of the Critically Endangered category under criterion B1. Its range is considered as a single location as even though it occurs in a Forest Reserve, unfortunately this reserve does not provide it any better protection than the surrounding areas, as there is no effective management and protection of the reserve (Ojelel et al.  2022). The main threats to the habitat and species are widespread stone quarrying because of the many granitic rock outcrops, cattle grazing, and tree cutting for timber, charcoal burning and building poles. Direct threats to the cycad population are frequent burning, and use of its seeds by immigrants from South Sudan as ‘beads’ they tie round the waist and neck of their children to dispel ‘bad omens’. This reduces the regeneration potential of the cycad. Occasionally, there is cutting of the cycad leaves off the trees for no known purpose. There is also a dense network of foot paths further degrading the habitat. Outside the forest reserve, the main threat is expansion of agriculture and vegetation clearance causing severe habitat loss and degradation in the area. This has been made worse by the high influx of refugees from South Sudan. Cutting of trees continues to degrade the reserve and reduce its habitat quality. Agriculture is causing reduction of the species’ AOO and this combined with other threats is inferred to be causing a decline in the number of mature individuals (now estimated to be 181 mature plants) to pave way for growing of crops.  

This species occurs in northern Uganda in the Moyo District where it is found in the vicinity of the Era Central Forest Reserve and the surrounding villages. Although it was previously reported to also occur near Madi in northern Uganda (Ojelel and Anywar 2017), this population has since been identified as E. septentrionalis (S. Ojelel pers. comm.).

The population was previously estimated to comprise 200 to 300 mature individuals (Donaldson 2010) but this was not based on actual counts. A detailed study undertaken in 2018, and comprising surveys and interviews with surrounding communities, identified 181 mature plants (Ojelel et al. 2022).

Encephalartos macrostrobilus occurs in degraded savanna on sandy lithosols with rock slopes along seasonal watercourses. Plants grow in partial shade. The vegetation of the landscape includes Afromontane undifferentiated forest, dry Combretum wooded grassland, Vitellaria paradoxa (Butyrospermum) wooded grassland, low land Bamboo, and Upland Acacia wooded grassland (Ojelel et al. 2017).

Over 90% of the population of Encephalartos macrostrobilus occurs on land communally owned by the local communities. The main socio-economic activity is subsistence agriculture. Tree felling for timber, charcoal burning and cutting of poles for construction are carried out and indiscriminate burning is done every year to generate new pastures. There is also widespread stone quarrying because of the many granitic rock outcrops. These activities continue to pose the greatest threat to habitat quality and survival of the cycad. These activities are not about to cease but rather intensify in the foreseeable future. Only a small percentage (<5%) of the cycad population is covered within the Era Central Forest Reserve. Unfortunately, this does not provide it any better protection as there is no effective management and protection of the reserve (Ojelel et al. 2022). There is also some demand for specimens of this species from plant collectors, and its seeds are used by immigrants from South Sudan as ‘beads’ they tie round the waist and neck of their children to dispel ‘bad omens’. This reduces the regeneration potential of the cycad. Occasionally, there is cutting of the cycad leaves off the trees for no known purpose. There is also a dense network of foot paths further degrading the habitat.

Immigrants from South Sudan tie the seeds as ‘beads’ in the waists of children to dispel bad omens. There is some demand for specimens of this species from plant collectors.

This species is listed in Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. Approximately 5% of the known population occurs in the Era Central Forest Reserve. Other conservation actions that would enhance conservation include: enhancing awareness among the local populace on cycad conservation; developing nature-based solutions such as bee-keeping and eco-tourism (based on this rare species) to provide alternative livelihoods that would reduce the impact on the species; buying the community land with the cycads and annexing it to the adjacent Era Central Forest Reserve; and improving management of Era Central Forest Reserve.