Disney star Nikita Pearl Wiligwa dies of brain tumour

Teenage Disney star Nikita Pearl Waligwa has died aged 15, according to reports in Uganda media which were also carried in the British press. Nikita Pearl Waligwa had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and Queen of Katwe director Mira Nair reportedly mobilised people to help fund her 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 tumour.

She starred in the role Gloria in the 2016 Disney film about a chess prodigy, Phiona Mutesi, from a Ugandan slum.

The film is based on the true story of a young girl who took up chess aged nine and went on to compete internationally.

Queen-of-Katwe

Lupita Nyong’o took on the role of Mutesi’s mum, and David Oyelowo played her chess teacher.

BBC / Sun / Mail 

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