Yet by the end of the evening, one truth stood out: Richard Nick Ngendahayo had not simply returned, he had reclaimed a spiritual bond with a nation that had waited 17 years to see him again.

Hours before the official start, streams of people had already formed outside the arena, parents with children, young believers eager for a first-time experience, long-time followers carrying memories of his early songs. The crowd filled the space with a sense of longing and expectation, as though everyone understood that this night was more than entertainment.

Inside, the sound of rehearsals and murmured prayers set a tone that felt almost ceremonial.

The first voices to rise from the stage belonged to Rene Patrick and Tracy Agasaro, whose chemistry and clarity of worship set the atmosphere ablaze. Their performance was less an introduction and more a spiritual warm-up, a reminder that the night was centered on surrender, praise, and renewal.

Then followed Gabby Kamanzi, whose presence always carries calm authority. Her set felt like an embrace, strong, steady, and profoundly inviting. When her voice blended with the audience, it marked the first moment the arena shifted from venue to sanctuary.

When Richard Nick finally appeared, he didn’t need theatrics. His silent pause at the center of the stage communicated more than words. And when the first chords of “Si Umuhemu” played, the arena erupted. Thousands rose in unison, drawn into a chorus that felt like a reunion between a shepherd and his flock.

His first set moved with intensity: familiar songs that carried memories, worship moments that pushed hearts open, and rhythms that reminded listeners of the cultural roots that shaped his music.

In the middle of the concert, Pastor Julienne Kabanda shared a message that reached deep into the crowd. She spoke of calling, resilience, and restoration, themes that mirrored Richard Nick’s own journey. The arena quieted, then softened, as her words found their place in the hearts of those listening.

After a brief intermission, Richard emerged wearing a military-style shirt, a symbolic shift that sent the arena into a new spiritual dimension. His second set leaned heavily on songs that speak of surrender and faith-driven strength: “Ni We,” “Sinzakwitesha,” and others that carried the room into waves of prayer and emotional release.

Hands raised. Tears fell. Voices harmonized in spontaneous worship. The event had evolved beyond a performance, it was now a collective encounter.

As the night neared its end, Richard stood quietly, taking in the scene before him, thousands still standing, still worshipping, long past midnight.

Then came the words that shattered the room into celebration: “I am coming back. Not years from now, next year. January 1st, 2027. We meet again here. Tonight, you gave me a reason to return.”

What followed was an explosion, cheers, dancing, shouts of gratitude, and a wave of joy that swept across BK Arena like a storm.

Long after midnight, no one hurried out. People lingered in worship circles, took pictures, embraced strangers, and replayed the best moments among friends. The arena, even half-lit, still felt full.
Richard Nick didn’t just perform in Kigali, he reconnected, revived memories, and reopened spiritual wells that had been waiting for him.

For a man who had been gone 17 years, this night proved one thing: a voice rooted in faith cannot be forgotten, and when it returns, it returns with purpose.

Richard Nick Ngendahayo returns in triumph as BK Arena becomes a Sea of Worship