A Ugandan actress aged 15 years who starred in the Queen of Katwe, a Disney film about a chess genius from a Ugandan slum, has succumbed to a brain tumor.
Nikita Pearl Waligwa had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She was first diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016.
At the time of her demise, Waligwa was schooling at Gayaza High school.
Information of her death went viral after Gayaza High School, tweeted about it on Sunday.
“Fare thee well Nikita Pearl Waligwa. You were a darling to many and we have lost you to a brain tumor at such a tender age,” the school’s tweet read. “Rest in Perfect Peace dear.”
Queen of Katwe director Mira Nair reportedly mobilized people to help fund her treatment in India, since Uganda lacked the necessary equipment to aid in her treatment.
After undergoing the necessary treatment, she improved through 2017 only to be found with another tumor last year.
Waligwa played the role of Gloria, a friend of Phiona who explained the rules of chess to her.
The 2016 film was based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, who took up chess aged nine despite not being in school and went on to compete in international tournaments.
It starred Lupita Nyong’o as her mother and David Oyelowo as her chess teacher.
Lupita Nyongo briefly narrated on her Instagram how the deceased had a long battle with cancer and expressed her sincere sympathy to her family and friends.
David Oyelowo, who also starred in the film, took to Instagram that Nikita was “a ball of light” in the film and in life.
“Her battle with a brain tumor was humbling to witness,” Oyelowo wrote. “Her light will live on.” he said
Waligwa was one of Uganda’s rising stars with a promising future that was cut short by death
