Trichilia dregeana is indigenous to Uganda. This species occurs in mid-altitude rain forest in West Africa and from Uganda to South Africa, 1,000-2,200 m. Absent from the central Guinea-Congolian rain forests, it is widely distributed in Uganda and common in Kibale forest. In Kampala, this tree  can be found along Upper Kololo terrace.

A very large evergreen tree to 30 m, with a straight trunk dividing into large branches and a rounded crown. Buttresses absent or small.

BARK: fairly thin and smooth brown with clear breathing pores (lenticels); when cut the bark edges are red and white.

LEAVES: compound with 4-6 pairs leaflets plus one on a stalk, to 10 cm, each leaflet about 12 cm long, always wider towards the pointed tip, often rounded at the base. The 7-12 pairs veins below are widely spaced with a few hairs. Leaves dry dark brown.

FLOWERS: few in branched sprays to 6 cm, each large flower with 5 cream-white hairy petals over 2 cm long, the 10 hairy stamens joined in a ring around the central style.

FRUIT: a rounded capsule to 3 cm across, pink to dull yellow-brown and hairy, without a neck to the fruit stalk, splitting into sections when dry to set free large black seeds which are almost covered by a soft red aril.

Edible: fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and used as a vegetable, or crushed and made into a sweet drink or sauce, seed can be boiled and eaten as a side dish, seeds provide an oil that is used for cooking even though it has a bitter flavor. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Trichilia+dregeana

Medicine: seed oil, the fruits, leaves, roots, and bark. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Trichilia+dregeana, https://www.prota4u.org/database/protav8.asp g=pe&p=Trichilia+dregeana+Sond.

Agroforestry: grown to provide shade for coffee plantations, or is left standing as a shade tree when the forest is cleared.

The wood is used for fuel and for making charcoal.

The seeds contain 55 - 65% oil which is used as a body ointment and hair oil, as well as to make candles, soap and cosmetics.

The wood is used for making carvings, especially in southern Africa, and is also used for indoor furniture, household utensils, shelving, construction, dugout canoes etc.

An ornamental tree.