A Homecoming in Kigali: Humphrey Bahenkuzi and the Vienna College Namugongo Reunion That Feels Like Family

 A Homecoming in Kigali: Humphrey Bahenkuzi and the Vienna College Namugongo Reunion That Feels Like Family

When nostalgia meets purpose, something powerful happens. In Kigali, one alumnus is turning shared memories into a living, breathing network. This is the story of how Vienna College Namugongo found its way home again through the heart of Humphrey Bahenkuzi.

Humphrey Bahenkuzi 

By the time you’ve lived a few years after high school, nostalgia begins to play tricks on you. It’s in the smallest things the beat of an old song, the smell of rain on red earth, the easy laughter that only old classmates can spark.

For Humphrey Bahenkuzi, one of the key organizers behind the upcoming Vienna College Namugongo Alumni Mixer in Kigali, that nostalgia isn’t just sentimental, it's a call to action.

“There’s this growing community of Vienna College alumni right here in Kigali,” Humphrey says. “We see each other in passing, in meetings, on LinkedIn, but there hasn’t been an actual, living space where we connect as people who share the same roots. I wanted to change that.”

Reconnecting the Dots Between Then and Now

The idea began as a simple observation: Kigali is full of Vienna College stories. Engineers, creatives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, all quietly carrying the mark of a school that shaped them. Humphrey, a proud alumnus himself, couldn’t help but imagine what would happen if that scattered energy came together in one place.

 “Vienna wasn’t just a school,” he says. “It was a small world that taught us how to dream beyond boundaries. This mixer is about recreating that world, right here in Kigali.”

The event, the first of its kind in Rwanda, aims to do more than celebrate nostalgia. It’s about building a bridge between past and present, between youthful ambition and adult achievement.

Beyond the Party: Building a Sense of Belonging

Humphrey insists this isn’t about flashy reunions or formal networking. It’s about belonging.

“We want people to walk in and immediately feel that sense of family,” he explains. “This isn’t a random crowd, it's people who share a set of values, who know the same stories, who were shaped by the same environment. Vienna College gave us that, and now we get to bring it to life again.”

The mixer is designed to transform what’s often a loose digital connection, old school WhatsApp chats, occasional Instagram likes into something tangible. A living network. A support system that’s both socially fulfilling and professionally meaningful.

Crafting the Perfect Night

When asked about the feel of the event, Humphrey smiles.

“We wanted something with soul,” he says. “Not a loud party, not a stiff dinner, something in between. Elegant, but relaxed. The kind of night where conversations flow naturally, and laughter feels easy.”

The Highland Suites Apartments, perched above Kigali with sweeping city views, offered exactly the right energy.

“It’s stylish but intimate,” Humphrey explains. “The view reminds you of how far you’ve come and how much more is ahead.”

The atmosphere will be anchored by a curated playlist blending Afrobeats, Afro-house, and throwback hits that once echoed through the corridors of Vienna College. The food? High-quality canapés and finger bites designed for movement and mingling.

No staged activities. No forced icebreakers. Just organic conversation, shared memories, and that unmistakable hum of reconnection.

The Magic of a Moment

When Humphrey talks about what he’s looking forward to most, his tone softens.

“It’s that moment when the room fills with laughter,” he says. “The sound of someone saying, ‘I can’t believe it’s you!’ or ‘You haven’t changed a bit.’ That’s the heartbeat of this whole thing. That’s what makes all the planning worth it.”

Because in those moments, something powerful happens, the abstract idea of an alumni network becomes human again.

An Invitation to Every Generation

Humphrey is quick to emphasize that this event isn’t just for one age group. It’s for everyone who’s ever called Vienna College home.

“To the graduates from 10 or 15 years ago I hope you come. Your stories are our foundation. You’re the living history of this school,” he says. “And to the recent grads, this is your entry point. You're welcome into a family that wants to see you grow.”

It’s a call for reconnection, but also for mentorship, inspiration, and continuity a weaving together of generations.

The Essence of Vienna Lives On

The night won’t replicate the scent of the dining hall (thatch) or the sound of the school siren but Humphrey promises the spirit will be unmistakable.

 “We might not have the exact smells or sounds,” he laughs, “but that feeling of camaraderie, that sense of we’ve been through something together that’s what we’re bringing back.”

And yes, he hints, a few songs from those long-forgotten dorm playlists might sneak into the evening’s soundtrack.

“Don’t Just Hear About It,Be Part of It”

For Humphrey, success won’t be measured in headcounts or décor. It’ll be measured in moments.

“If even one person reconnects with a forgotten friend, or walks away remembering what made Vienna special, that's success,” he says. “Because that’s what this is about: rediscovering our shared identity and reminding ourselves that we’re not alone in this journey.”

This is more than an event, it's the rebirth of a community. A celebration of growth, memory, and connection.

So, when the Kigali skyline glows that evening, and the music hums just softly enough for conversations to thrive, Humphrey Bahenkuzi will be somewhere in the crowd watching smiles form, laughter ripple, and the Vienna College spirit come alive again.

And in that moment, it’ll be clear: this isn’t just a reunion.

It’s a homecoming.