Young and talented Ugandan actress Nikita Pearl Waligwa, who played the character role of Gloria in internationally acclaimed Disney movie ‘Queen of Katwe’ passed on a few days ago.
The 15-year-old actress died of cancer while receiving treatment at TMR International Hospital in Naalya, Kampala. She was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and later underwent surgery to try and curb the tumour in the early stages.
However, Nikita was later diagnosed with cancer and had to go through a series of radiotherapy sessions in July 2016. In 2017, after going through trials of treatment, she was declared cancer-free and later resumed school too.
The young actor played a girl named Gloria in “Queen of Katwe.” She was a close friend of the main character Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) and taught her how to play chess. The film told the real-life story of Mutesi who is one of Uganda’s most successful chess players. She won three Ugandan Women’s Junior Championship and has represented the country at four international chess olympiads.
Queen of Katwe actress Nikita Pearl Waligwa is dead at 15
Unfortunately, Nikita’s battle with the deadly disease didn’t end there as she was later diagnosed again with cancer, and advised to go for surgery in India. Director Mira Nair helped organize efforts to fund Waligwa’s treatment during filming, according to BBC.
Since her second diagnosis, Pearl has been in and out of hospital ever since until she was declared dead over the weekend according to reports. Waligwa was in her senior year at Gayaza High School at the time of her death. May her soul rest in peace.
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