Nikita Waligwa, a child actress who appeared in the 2016 Disney film Queen of Katwe, died of a brain tumor on Saturday, according to the high school she attended in Uganda. She was 15.
"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," Gayaza High School tweeted on Sunday.
Queen of Katwe tells the true story of Ugandan chess master Phiona Mutsei who grew up in a poor neighborhood of Kampala. Nakita portrayed Gloria, one of Mutsei's childhood friends.
Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo, both of whom appeared in the film, offered condolences to Nikita on Sunday.
"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 piece. May it be well with her soul," Nyong'o wrote.
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