Vienna Days Revisited: Football, Friendship, and the Prom That Never Was

 Vienna Days Revisited: Football, Friendship, and the Prom That Never Was

For Melville, Guild President of 2022-2023, Vienna Days were a blend of laughter, leadership, and lessons that shaped more than just his time at school; they shaped his outlook on life. 

From Sunday derbies that turned the field into a sea of cheering voices to school dinners alive with color and personality, his memories capture the pulse of a community that celebrated both fun and fellowship. 

Yet among the joy sits one wistful “what if” the prom that never was, is a reminder that even missed moments can become part of a lasting legacy.

By Martin Melville Kugonza

There are moments from Vienna that remain etched in memory like sunlight on old photographs. Sunday afternoons, for instance, when football derbies brought the entire school to life. Whether it was year groups facing off or students challenging the staff, the field became a small arena of pride and laughter. The fan energy was unmatched; it sometimes got personal between rival teams. And through all the noise, one voice always stood out: Edwina Kanyonza’s. Her cheers carried such passion that no one dared to rival her spirit.

Becoming Guild President in 2022 was another defining chapter. My team and I wanted to change the narrative to show that leadership could be about service, not privilege. We wanted to create a culture where students felt heard and represented. I quickly noticed, though, that there was an unusual fear among students remnants of past trauma from past negative experiences. It reminded me that leadership required empathy as much as authority. And yes, we too had our moments of learning; I remember when some cabinet members found themselves on the wrong side of the law. That experience grounded us. It taught me that integrity isn’t built in calm, it's forged in the fires of challenge.

Sports Days were pure adrenaline. I was everywhere running, cheering, competing. I was that “busy body” everyone joked about. Our year group shared an energy that was contagious; we were ‘jokers,’ always finding humor even in serious times. We showed up for one another, and I loved that the years below us started picking up our spirit, our way of turning every moment into a memory.

School Dinners were another highlight. Students got to dress up, express themselves, and enjoy the evening’s freedom. The Luganda phrase “Tomanyi” meaning don’t you know? became our playful flex. “Tomanyi I’m cool like that,” someone would tease, and the laughter would roll across the hall.

Sadly, our year missed out on prom. It was disappointing, but we understood. Still, I trust that my class will find a way to make it happen someday, maybe a reunion prom. 😄

Through it all, I’m most grateful for the teachers who truly cared. They made sure no one was left behind academically, emotionally, or personally. Their support still influences me today.

If I could walk back through those gates again, the first thing I’d want to do is go for that prom we never had, not for the glamour, but for the closure of sharing one more unforgettable night with my class.

And if there’s one sound that could take me right back to those days, it’s Hon. David Lumonya’s unmistakable phrase: “Oh my days!” Even now, it makes me smile, a small echo of the joy and chaos that defined our Vienna story.