Tears could be seen all over everyone’s face as mourners gathered to pay final respects to famous disc jockey Virgil Karuranga, known by stage name DJ Miller who was laid to rest on Wednesday at Rusororo Cemetery after he succumbed to stroke on Sunday at King Faisal Hospital.
The burial ceremony for the famous DJ was preceded by final respect from the DJ’s friends and family which was followed by a sendoff service held at Rusororo Cemetery, Gasabo District.
Only 20 people were allowed to attend the sendoff for DJ Miller and even the media have been denied access in order to comply with government’s measures to control the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.
Due to limited number of people allowed to attend the burial, the burial was streamed online via IGIHE’s YouTube channel so many people can follow it live while at home.
DJ Miller’s death not only shocked his friends and his family but also surprised many, including his mother who spent days and nights with him at King Faisal Hospital.
"I and Hope [Miller’s wife] would rotate to take care of Miller while at the Hospital. I can’t forget one of the night we spent together at hospital speaking with each other. That night I went back home to rest and, by the time I was going to bed, it was at 11pm, he called and said to me ‘I miss your stresses [telling him to eat], please come back and see me’. I could not go back there because I was so tired but I would have returned to the hospital I had known those were his last words we I heard from him,” she said.
The mother revealed to the mourners that she won’t forget the last conversation she had with his son from whom she has been expecting two more grandchildren besides his lone daughter.
"He once told me that he will give birth to one child. I told him NO! You need to give birth to two more. He replied that he already has three. I asked how come I don't know those other two. He replied: The first is Shani (Miller’s daughter), the second is Hope (wife) and the third is you. So we are his children, and I am the eldest of them I have responsibility to make sure I take care of my little siblings,” she said
DJ Miller is survived by his wife Hope Nigihozo and a six-month daughter Shani Karuranga.
Speaking during the burial ceremony, Nigihozo could not control her tears after she lost her beloved husband at such a young age.
"His honest love is why all these people have come here are his friends indeed. I am sure he is watching us and he is happy where he is. I will make sure I achieve all the projects we had together, but I will need the support from the friends of our family,” said a grief-stricken Nigihozo.
DJ Pius, who spoke on behalf of the DJs and musicians, said that Rwanda will miss a big DJ who has used the best of his time in promoting Rwandan music.
"Our industry has lost a young but talented and professional DJ. He will really be missed. He was a friend to us all and, as someone who has been with him in this journey, I know how big we will miss him and it’s huge blow to our music,” he said.