Category: Daily Monitor

Police in Namayingo District are investigating circumstances surrounding a road crash that claimed the life of a 38-year-old Electoral Commission staff on Christmas Day.

The crash occurred at 10am at Walumbe Cell, Nambugu Ward, in Namayingo Town Council, on the Namayingo-Musita road.

According to the Busoga East Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Michael Kasadha, the crash involved a Toyota Hiace commuter taxi (UBA 289H), a Toyota Harrier (UA 129CE), and an unidentified motorcycle.

‘The drivers of the two vehicles and the motorcycle rider have not yet been identified and are currently on the run,’ ASP Kasadha said.

He identified the deceased as Ochieng Nicholas, an Electoral Commission supervisor and a resident of Mpano B Cell, Bulamba Ward, Namayingo Town Council.

‘Preliminary investigations indicate that the motorcycle was travelling from Namayingo Town towards Mayuge, while the Toyota Hiace was coming from the opposite direction. The Toyota Harrier was joining the main road at low speed from the same side the motorcycle was approaching. In an attempt to avoid colliding with the Toyota Harrier, the motorcycle rider reportedly lost control, veered into the right hand lane, and collided head on with the oncoming Toyota Hiace,’ ASP Kasadha said.

ASP Kasadha said Ochieng, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, sustained a compound fracture and was rushed to Shalom Medical Centre, where he was later pronounced dead.

Traffic officers visited and documented the scene of the accident.

The Toyota Hiace and Toyota Harrier have since been impounded and are parked at Namayingo Police Station pending inspection. Police said the motorcycle involved in the crash has not yet been recovered.

ASP Kasadha said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the motorcycle rider and the drivers of the two vehicles.

Preliminary police findings point to reckless riding by the motorcycle rider as the likely cause of the crash.

Police have urged road users to exercise caution, especially during the festive season, when traffic volumes are typically high.

Police in Kigezi Sub-region are investigating four separate murder cases after four people were killed in different Rubanda and Kabale districts on Christmas.

Kigezi regional police spokesman, Mr Elly Maate, said Vincent Rwomushana, a 54-year-old resident of Kanyante village, Kibuga Sub-county in Kabale District was waylaid and hacked on the head around 11pm on his way home after drinking alcohol at Hamuhokye trading center.

He was taken to Rushoroza hospital in Kabale town where he was pronounced dead shortly after admission.

Martin Mandela, a resident of Igabiro cell in Mwanjari ward, Kabale Municipality, Kabale District was killed on December 26 at around 2am.

‘It was reported that one Janvier Onorinawe had taken his brother Mandela Martin (now deceased) to a bar for leisure from where he left him. At around 0250hrs, Mandela left the bar. However, as he was approaching home he was cut on the head by yet to be identified assailants. The neighbors heard and moved out to find out what was going on, only to find Mandela lying down and bleeding profusely. A neighbor, one Miguel Innocent, called Onorinawe who took him to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital from where he died,’ Mr Maate said.

Another attack happened in Gwara village, Karukara Ward, Hamurwa Town Council IN Rubanda District where a 22-year-old Valence Arineitwe was stabbed to death by unknown people.

The attack happened on December 25 at around 7:30pm opposite Kikadde’s house at Hamurwa cell, Rubanda District.

‘It’s alleged that on December 25, 2025 at around 7:30 pm, when one Maximiano Atuheire, a teacher and a businessman was in his shop and bar serving his customers, he heard too much noise from Hamurwa main road and that the noise sounded unusual which made him to come out of his bar. He saw one Valence Arineitwe being chased by the suspects whose particulars are concealed not to jeopardize inquiries, while beating/assaulting him up to Kiiza Aron’s bar where he fell and died instantly,’ Mr Maate said.

Police also said a decomposing body of Nelson Nasasira, 31, a resident of Kyarujumba village, Bunyonyi Ward in Hamuhambo Town Council, Rubanda District was found in a neighboring village of Kataraga.

‘It was alleged that on December 20, 2025 at around 2am at Kyarujumba Cell, one Nasasira Nelson (now deceased) was called by his friend only known as Justus of the same address to go together to burn charcoal in Kataraga Cell which is located a few metres away from Hamuhambo Town Centre. He never returned home. His wife Saviour Nahurira on the following day went to report the matter to the village chairperson and kept on searching for the husband but in vain,’Mr Maate said.

When Nasasira’s brother, Mr Bright Tayebwa, returned home on December 24, 2025 and heard about his disappearance he approached Justus’ brother Balaam seeking information about Justus and Nasasira’s whereabouts.

He requested Balaam to lead him to where their brothers had gone to burn charcoal.

‘On arrival, they were welcomed by a stench and houseflies near the heap of logs and dry eucalyptus tree branches. They went back and informed the local leaders who went at the scene and discovered the body covered with eucalyptus tree branches and notified Bunyonyi police,’ Mr Maate said.

Mr Maate condemned the acts of murder during the festive season and appealed to the members of the public to help the police in identifying the culprits so that they can be arrested and prosecuted.

President Museveni has disbanded the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) and all Landing Site Committees across Uganda.

The directive was confirmed on Friday in a statement issued on X (formerly Twitter) by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information (DDPI) at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF.

According to the statement, President Museveni directed the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to immediately dissolve all landing site committees on Uganda’s lakes following persistent controversies and complaints from fishing communities.

Col Magezi said the dissolved committees will be replaced by new ones composed of representatives from indigenous fishing communities and investors operating at the landing sites.

He added that the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General (DCDF/IG), Lt Gen Sam Okiding, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Maj Gen Richard Otto, have been tasked to oversee the formation of the new committees within a period of three months. In the same directive, the Fisheries Protection Unit has been restructured and renamed the 155 Marines Battalion, which will now operate under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade.

Maj Joseph Ssebukeera has been appointed the Commanding Officer of the newly formed 155 Marines Battalion, while the UPDF Marines Brigade continues to be commanded by Brigadier Michael Nyarwa.

Lt Col Mercy Tukahirwa, formerly attached to the Fisheries Protection Unit, has been transferred to the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security (SPADS), Lt Gen (Rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso.

According to the statement, Lt. Col. Tukahirwa will undertake other duties in her new assignment.

The police in Wamala region are hunting for suspects behind the placing of unauthorized road sign inscriptions in big letters at sections of the Kampala-Kiboga- Hoima highway.

The inscriptions according to Wamala Region Police spokesperson, Mr Lameck Kigozi that read ‘Protest vote’ reflect individual political opinions and affiliations but also go against the mandate of any individual to do the work only authorized by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

In a statement released by Mr Kigozi on Friday, December 26, 2025 the suspects believed to be National Unity Platform (NUP) party agents and riding on a numberless motorcycle placed the road sign inscriptions at sections of the Kampala-Kiboga -Hoima highway at around 9:20 pm, before fleeing.

‘Whereas it’s the duty of the Ministry of Works and Transport to inscribe our roads for whichever reason based on the Ministry’s statutory duties, it’s an act of sabotage for a layman to inscribe a public road with wordings reflecting personal political affiliation or inciting the public,’ Mr Kigozi added in his statement.

‘I hereby caution the public in the region to desist from such acts of sabotage driven by their respective political ambition. Anybody caught in such actions will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the respective law guidelines,’ Mr Kigozi indicated in his statement seen by this publication.

According to police, wordings that attract attention of the road users placed at sections of the highway in Lwamata Town Council raise suspicion about the intentions of the suspects and why they rode on a numberless motorcycle and quickly disappeared.

‘They probably (suspects) knew that they were acting outside the law. But the police are hunting for them. It is the Ministry of Works and Transport to authorize placement of road signs at designated road sections,’ he said.

Engineer Emmanuel Gizamba Masaba, a road safety expert, told this publication that road signs attract the attention of the road users and must be authorized by the relevant government departments.

‘If the inscriptions had been placed off the road, it would be a different matter but any wording on the road surface should have a traffic intention and message that either cautions the road users or gives direction and guidelines about the use of particular road sections guided by the traffic laws,’ he said.

NUP led by their presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi are actively promoting a strategy of a “protest vote” in the lead-up to Uganda’s January 2026 General Election. It is a central part of their current nationwide mobilisation drive to encourage mass voter turnout to “overwhelm” the incumbent government and prevent alleged rigging, use the ballot as a primary tool for legal and constitutional change, rather than just street protests and to protect the vote at polling stations to ensure the results are not manipulated, among others.

The South Ankole Diocese Bishop Rev Nathan Ahimbisibwe has called for peace in the country ahead of the January 2026 General Election, noting that it’s the only way Ugandan can develop.

Preaching during the Christmas prayers at St Mathew Cathedral Kyamate in Ntungamo Municipality, Bishop Ahimbisibwe noted that there are some citizens wishing to destroy peace of the others.

‘We need peace; peace in families, and peace in the country, peace in our lives as Jesus promised. It is essential to have peace if we are to develop. Paul tells us that if possible we should live with each other, with everyone in peace, peace that Jesus brought to the world that even the church was saved from segregation,’ he said.

He also urged politicians contesting for various positions in the coming elections to promote peace, which the country has enjoyed for some years.

‘There are those people who have become strong catalysts for destroying peace for others, they wish for violence. We need to pray for each other. Everything we have will end, even the leadership, even offices we occupy but the peace of God shall not. Let the coming of Christ in us be a great symbol of peace,’ he said.

Speaking to journalists later after the service, Bishop Ahimbisibwe appealed for strong youth development programs through life changing missions, especially holiday church conferences which he said are key in developing individuals spiritually.

Several politicians, including former Ntungamo Municipality MP, Mr Gerald Karuhanga and Ntungamo District chairperson, Mr Sam Mucunguzi, Woman MP candidate Eng Juliet Kindyahamutima attended the service, also calling for a peaceful election.

‘We have had challenges of violence in our elections. We want a violent free election. This is what brings peace. We can’t talk about peace without talking about human rights. I wish this message reaches everyone. This country is ours all, we must respect each other,’ Mr Karuhanga said.

Bishop Ahimbisibwe further appealed to Christians to engage in work, especially in Agriculture which he said is the epitome of development of the rural population.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified Mr Daniel Mulirire from contesting for the Budiope East parliamentary seat in Buyende District, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from First Deputy Prime Minister and Kamuli Woman MP, Ms Rebecca Kadaga.

In a letter dated December 23, 2025, authored by the EC through its lawyer Mr Ibrahim Yeko and signed by EC chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, the Commission annulled Mulirire’s nomination following a complaint lodged under Article 61(1)(f) and Section 15 of the EC Act.

The complaint challenged Mulirire’s eligibility to contest as a directly elected Member of Parliament for Budiope East, citing alleged non-compliance with the Parliamentary Elections Act.

According to the EC decision titled ‘EC decision regarding the complaint challenging the nomination of Daniel Mulirire,’ the Commission found that Mulirire, a former police officer, failed to attach proof of resignation from public service at the time of nomination.

The EC said this omission contravened Section 4(4)(a) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, rendering his nomination papers void. Consequently, the Commission resolved to annul Mulirire’s nomination and quash the decision of the Buyende District Returning Officer.

However, Mulirire’s legal team has strongly disputed the ruling. His lawyer, Mr David Ngobi, argued that his client resigned from the police force well within the legally required timeframe.

‘The law requires a public officer to resign at least 90 days before nomination. Mr Mulirire resigned more than 550 days before nomination. We are surprised by this decision. The EC misinterpreted the law and we shall petition to ensure that Mulirire goes to Parliament,’ he said.

Mr Ngobi further accused the EC of denying his client a fair hearing.

Documents seen by this publication indicate that Mulirire’s resignation was approved by the Police Council’s Appointments, Promotions and Disciplinary Committee under Minute No. 009/15/04/2024, with effect from April 15, 2024.

The resignation letter, signed by Ms Dorah Abigaba on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, directed Mulirire to hand over all government property and noted that resignation relinquishes all pensionable rights under the Public Service Standing Orders.

Reacting to the disqualification, Ms Kadaga expressed strong dissatisfaction, describing the EC’s actions as a worrying trend of blocking candidates, especially in areas where the ruling party is perceived to be weak.

‘Disqualifying candidates is a new development. We did not have this in the NRM before,’ Ms Kadaga said while speaking at her home after Christmas prayers at St Paul’s Church, Mbulamuti, in Kamuli District. ‘This is a strategy used by people who fear competition. Where they are weak, they do not allow others to stand.’

She accused the EC of acting unfairly and denying affected candidates a chance to be heard.

‘I am very dissatisfied with the way the EC is behaving. Every day, candidates are disqualified without being invited for hearings. That is not justice,’ she said.

Meanwhile, incumbent Budiope East MP and aspirant Mr Moses Magogo dismissed claims that he is running unopposed in the 2026 parliamentary race.

‘There have been allegations that I am unopposed, which is not true. That is why I am moving across the constituency, meeting voters, and seeking their support,’ Mr Magogo said.

While acknowledging that some challengers were weak, Mr Magogo expressed confidence of victory, saying the 2026 elections would be easier than those of 2021, which he said were characterised by hate speech and tribalism.

‘I expect a landslide victory. There are small pockets of violence, but security teams will handle them before polling day,’ he said.

He downplayed the strength of Mulirire, his main challenger, noting that he garnered only two percent in the recent NRM party primaries. Another contender, Mr Geoffrey Dhamuzungu, who secured 18 percent, later declined to contest in the upcoming general election.

Mr Magogo said he expects to secure up to 90 percent of the vote and pledged to prioritise education, health services, road infrastructure, electricity, and access to safe water if re-elected.

The Budiope East race initially attracted five candidates: Moses Magogo (NRM), Stephen Bangalana (Independent), Robinson Peere (PFF), Resty Nsiro (Independent), and Daniel Mulirire (Independent), who has since been disqualified.

However, petitions have also been filed challenging the eligibility of Mr Bangalana, Ms Nsiro, and Mr Peere over alleged forged signatures, insufficient nominators, and other procedural irregularities. All the affected candidates have denied the allegations, insisting they remain in the race.

Mr Magogo, who also serves as president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), is married to Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who together with 10 other parliamentary candidates, including Vice President Jessica Alupo and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, have been confirmed unopposed.

The police in Wamala region are hunting for suspects behind the placing of unauthorized road sign inscriptions in big letters at sections of the Kampala-Kiboga- Hoima highway.

The inscriptions according to Wamala Region Police spokesperson, Mr Lameck Kigozi that read ‘Protest vote’ reflect individual political opinions and affiliations but also go against the mandate of any individual to do the work only authorized by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

In a statement released by Mr Kigozi on Friday, December 26, 2025 the suspects believed to be National Unity Platform (NUP) party agents and riding on a numberless motorcycle placed the road sign inscriptions at sections of the Kampala-Kiboga -Hoima highway at around 9:20 pm, before fleeing.

‘Whereas it’s the duty of the Ministry of Works and Transport to inscribe our roads for whichever reason based on the Ministry’s statutory duties, it’s an act of sabotage for a layman to inscribe a public road with wordings reflecting personal political affiliation or inciting the public,’ Mr Kigozi added in his statement.

‘I hereby caution the public in the region to desist from such acts of sabotage driven by their respective political ambition. Anybody caught in such actions will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the respective law guidelines,’ Mr Kigozi indicated in his statement seen by this publication.

According to police, wordings that attract attention of the road users placed at sections of the highway in Lwamata Town Council raise suspicion about the intentions of the suspects and why they rode on a numberless motorcycle and quickly disappeared.

‘They probably (suspects) knew that they were acting outside the law. But the police are hunting for them. It is the Ministry of Works and Transport to authorize placement of road signs at designated road sections,’ he said.

Engineer Emmanuel Gizamba Masaba, a road safety expert, told this publication that road signs attract the attention of the road users and must be authorized by the relevant government departments.

‘If the inscriptions had been placed off the road, it would be a different matter but any wording on the road surface should have a traffic intention and message that either cautions the road users or gives direction and guidelines about the use of particular road sections guided by the traffic laws,’ he said.

NUP led by their presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi are actively promoting a strategy of a “protest vote” in the lead-up to Uganda’s January 2026 General Election. It is a central part of their current nationwide mobilisation drive to encourage mass voter turnout to “overwhelm” the incumbent government and prevent alleged rigging, use the ballot as a primary tool for legal and constitutional change, rather than just street protests and to protect the vote at polling stations to ensure the results are not manipulated, among others.

Concerned that excessive alcohol consumption during working hours is crippling household productivity, the Minister of Security, Rtd Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, has urged local leaders in Rukungiri District to urgently enact bylaws banning daytime drinking to protect the success of the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Addressing Christians during Christmas Day prayers at Kasoroza Church of Uganda in Nyakagyeme Sub-county, Muhwezi said uncontrolled alcohol consumption has become a major obstacle to government programmes aimed at eradicating poverty at the household level.

The minister, who was accompanied by his wife Susan Muhwezi and family members, expressed concern over what he described as worrying levels of alcohol consumption among men, women, youth, and the elderly.

‘People are over-drinking during working hours. To my surprise, I also saw women busy drinking. This increasing consumption of alcohol by men, women, youth, and the elderly needs to be regulated through bylaws and strong fines for anyone caught drinking during working hours because the rate of alcohol consumption in our community is worrying,’ Muhwezi said.

He noted that while local leaders and religious leaders are actively sensitising communities about the Parish Development Model (PDM), the challenge of alcohol abuse has not been adequately addressed.

‘This problem needs urgent attention from every stakeholder because it is making the implementation of government programmes aimed at eradicating poverty at the household level very difficult,’ he said, urging leaders to prioritise alcohol control bylaws.

Muhwezi added that such bylaws should be passed immediately to allow more time for productive work under the PDM and to reduce daytime idleness.

‘We want the bylaw to be passed quickly in our district, and we shall push it to all local governments across the country,’ he added.

The minister further urged residents to embrace government programmes intended to uplift households economically.

Meanwhile, the Venerable Ronald Natuhwera, the Archdeacon of Nyakagyeme Archdeaconry in North Kigezi Diocese, called on Christians to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and to desist from immoral behaviour.

‘Many people, instead of reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ and kneeling before their Saviour, have engaged in abhorrent acts such as murder, prostitution, adultery, and abuse of alcohol, all of which contradict the teachings of Jesus,’ Ven Natuhwera said.

He also urged parents to prioritise education, describing it as a key driver of transformation.

‘I have seen many children graduating from institutions outside our archdeaconry, yet none are from here. We need to ask ourselves what went wrong. Let us educate our children because education is the key to unlocking the world’s problems,’ he said.

The South Ankole Diocese Bishop Rev Nathan Ahimbisibwe has called for peace in the country ahead of the January 2026 General Election, noting that it’s the only way Ugandan can develop.

Preaching during the Christmas prayers at St Mathew Cathedral Kyamate in Ntungamo Municipality, Bishop Ahimbisibwe noted that there are some citizens wishing to destroy peace of the others.

‘We need peace; peace in families, and peace in the country, peace in our lives as Jesus promised. It is essential to have peace if we are to develop. Paul tells us that if possible we should live with each other, with everyone in peace, peace that Jesus brought to the world that even the church was saved from segregation,’ he said.

He also urged politicians contesting for various positions in the coming elections to promote peace, which the country has enjoyed for some years.

‘There are those people who have become strong catalysts for destroying peace for others, they wish for violence. We need to pray for each other. Everything we have will end, even the leadership, even offices we occupy but the peace of God shall not. Let the coming of Christ in us be a great symbol of peace,’ he said.

Speaking to journalists later after the service, Bishop Ahimbisibwe appealed for strong youth development programs through life changing missions, especially holiday church conferences which he said are key in developing individuals spiritually.

Several politicians, including former Ntungamo Municipality MP, Mr Gerald Karuhanga and Ntungamo District chairperson, Mr Sam Mucunguzi, Woman MP candidate Eng Juliet Kindyahamutima attended the service, also calling for a peaceful election.

‘We have had challenges of violence in our elections. We want a violent free election. This is what brings peace. We can’t talk about peace without talking about human rights. I wish this message reaches everyone. This country is ours all, we must respect each other,’ Mr Karuhanga said.

Bishop Ahimbisibwe further appealed to Christians to engage in work, especially in Agriculture which he said is the epitome of development of the rural population.

At the end of the year, many families reunite to enjoy time together. These times can be happy, yet sometimes they reveal tensions, unsatisfied needs and difficult relationships. The reality is that being together does not necessarily mean you are connected. Families can be both joyful and anguished or distressed at the same time. These contradictions are brought into focus during festive periods. They show just how strong the ties of a family are, and remind us that family life is not just a social structure but a continuous practice of connecting and caring.

In our work at the Centre of Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families and Society at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, we pose what seems on the surface a very simple question; what do families do to not only survive, but thrive together? We find repeated themes in our research; families thrive (or do well) when trust is fostered, when care is given and when all members feel they belong. Family cohesion enables individuals to feel safe and connected. It is not about being perfect or agreeing always, but being able to trust and get along with each other.

We have found that more unified families can:

Communicate openly

Adapt to change

Support each other in the trials of life.

These virtues are not something to be assumed. An example is trust, which is not automatic. It is constructed gradually, by respecting each other, the consistency of a present caregiver, the fairness of shared tasks, the assurance that a person’s voice is heard. In cases where trust breaks down, families tend to say that they feel uncertain, or even unsafe, in their own homes. Yet when trust is strong, it creates the invisible thread which helps families to survive change. Our studies show that disagreement can coexist with closeness, provided families have ways to repair relationships after tension. One parent in our research said it best: We fight, we cry, but we still sit together for supper. That small act of sitting together is part of the work of care that holds families intact.

African families

African families and households are diverse in their structures: nuclear, single-parent, multigenerational, child-headed or based on emotional connection and choice. In our qualitative research in urban communities, families mixed both traditional values and contemporary realities. Grandmothers are usually key figures in care-giving and young people contribute meaningfully to family and household life. But families face significant pressures. Many struggle to meet basic needs, such as shelter and food, as well as intangible needs such as love, respect and understanding. Family cohesion may be eroded when these needs are not met.

Unmet needs also reflect what we call ‘bad care’.

By that we mean not getting care, or getting inadequate care. The impact of bad care on people is among the most interesting things that we discovered during our research. It occurs when care-giving responsibilities are not shared equally, when intangible needs are not met or when family members can’t talk to each other. The consequences of unmet intangible needs are usually quite powerful. For example, a grandmother may make sure her grandchildren are fed, dressed and safe every day. But if her desire for love, connection, or relaxation is not met, she may feel like no one cares about her or that she is being taken for granted.

As one grandmother described it, being ‘the glue’ that kept the family together meant her personal needs for rest, emotional support, or simply being cared for were overlooked.

Some families expect their younger members (daughters in particular) to take care of other people, even if they are not prepared or haven’t consented. In our study, one interviewee said that since the death of her grandmother, she was supposed to be the one who would keep the family together though she did not consider herself ready. Her personal needs such as being heard, respected and given space to grieve were placed on hold. A care-giver who feels as though no one is noticing or supporting them might end up feeling depressed, angry, or burned out. They might not ask for help, for fear of being judged or rejected. One woman said she never talked to her family about her concerns since they ‘have their own problems’ and ‘do not want to listen’. This silence, which can be caused by pride, fear, or a lack of trust, can hurt relationships and make people feel even more alone.

Bad care also refers to being given care that is not responsive to all the needs of a family member. Families who only consider aspects such as food, shelter and money might lose sight of emotional and spiritual needs. And as those are not fulfilled, the emotional fabric of the family starts to fall apart. During the holidays, these family behaviours tend to get worse. Being back under one roof brings out disparities in money, values, or hopes. Adult children come home with fresh experiences, parents remember the sacrifices they made, and grandparents hope their traditions will live on.

Care becomes the language that connects people of all ages in this mix. It can be said in words, like when people talk, laugh, or say they are sorry. It often happens softly, like when people share a meal made with love, offer to help, or take a moment to listen. Care is not seasonal. It is every day and intentional. The family is not a luxury; it is the pillar of wellbeing. Once the decorations are packed away and the noise fades, what remains are the relationships we have tended.