Disney Star, Nikita Pearl Dies At 15

After a battle with brain with brain tumor, 15-year-old Nikita Pearl Waligwa has died.

The Ugandan child actress who starred in Disney’s Queen of Katwe, a film about a chess prodigy from a slum in Uganda died  on Saturday February 15th.

A child actress of vast credit, in Nikita’s movie credit pouch are numerous hit flicks and she finally rose to fame after she played Gloria who hailed from the slums of Uganda in the movie.

Nikita Pearl was first diagnosed 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.

Nikita was given the all-clear in 2017 but last year, she suffered a relapse after another tumour was found in her brain.

Speaking to local media, a family member said Nikita suffered severe pain before she died. “The brain was swollen and it is exerting a lot of pressure.” the family source.