Queen of Katwe star Nikita Pearl Waligwa dies at 15

It is so shocking and heartbreaking to find out that such a brilliant star as young Ugandan actress Nikita Pearl Waligwa has passed on.

The Ugandan child actress was reported to have died on Saturday, 15th February 2020. Nikita was diagnosed with a tumour in her brain.

The star actress was first diagnosed with a tumour in her brain in 2016 but was tagged all clear in 2017. Not long after, another tumour was found in her brain and she was diagnosed again.

Nikita starred in Queen of Kwate, a 2016 Disney movie about a chess championship movie. Nikita’s death was announced by Gazaya High School on Sunday,16th February 2020. She was 15 when she passed on.

Gazaya High school took to their Twitter handle to post a tribute to the star actress,  writing: “Fare thee well Nikita Pearl Waligwa. You were a darling to many and we have lost you to brain tumour at such a tender age. Nikita was in S.3. Rest in Perfect Peace dear”

Fare thee well Nikita Pearl Waligwa. You were a darling to many and we have lost you to brain tumor at such a tender age. Nikita was in S.3. Rest in Perfect Peace dear pic.twitter.com/ny8I9YAjsQ

— Gayaza High School (@gayazahigh) February 16, 2020

Her co-star Oscar winner, Lupita Nyong’o, reacting to the sad news called Nikita Waligwa a “sweet, warm, talented girl” as she send her thoughts and prayers to the family and community of the late young actress.

Lupita’s post: “It is with great sadness that I post about the passing of Nikita Waligwa, the sweet, warm, talented girl whom I worked with on the film, Queen Of Katwe. She played Gloria with such vibrancy. In her real life, she had the enormous challenge of battling brain cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and community as they come to terms with having to say goodbye so soon. May she truly rest in peace. May it be well with her soul.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8pYsKlJMOr/

It is indeed a piece of sad news. Farewell Nikita