Disney’s ‘Queen of Katwe’ Actress Nikita Pearl Waligwa Dies At 15
An actress who starred in the Queen of Katwe, a Disney film about a chess prodigy from a Ugandan slum, has died at the young age of 15, Ugandan media report.
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.
Nikita Pearl Waligwa played the role of Gloria, a friend of Phiona who explained the rules of chess to her.
The movie also starred Lupita Nyong’o as her mother and David Oyelowo as her chess teacher.
According to BBC, Nikita had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She was first diagnosed in 2016 and the film director Mira Nair reportedly spearheaded a fund to help with treatment in India, with Ugandan doctors quoted as saying they did not have the necessary equipment.
She was given the all-clear in 2017 but last year was found to have another tumor.
Rest in peace beautiful queen, Nikita.
