A young actress who starred in the Queen of Katwe, a Disney film about a chess prodigy from Ugunda, has died at age 15.

Nikita Pearl Waligwa played a pivotal character in a 2016 film based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a 9-year-old girl chess prodigy who went on to compete in international tournaments despite a mediocre formal education. 

Before her death, doctors diagnosed Waligwa with a brain tumor and Queen of Katwe director, Mira Nair, acted quickly, mobilizing people to help fund her treatment in India. 

In 2017, Waligwa was given the all-clear until 2019 when doctors discovered another tumor. 

Waligwa's fellow actors have paid tribute to her memory via social media. 

View this post on Instagram

We mourn the loss of our beautiful Nikita Pearl Waligwa. She was a ball of light in @queenofkatwemovie and in life. Her battle with a brain tumor was humbling to witness. Her light will live on. ??#rip

A post shared by David O (@davidoyelowo) on Feb 16, 2020 at 10:19am PST

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