Child actor Nikita Pearl Waligwa, 'Queen of Katwe' star, dead at 15: reports
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The star of Disney's "Queen of Katwe" Nikita Pearl Waligwa has died at the age of 15.
Multiple reports, including media from her native Uganda, state that Waligwa suffered from a brain tumor.
She was reportedly diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016 and received an all-clear in 2017 before another tumor was discovered last year.
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Waligwa's body was taken to a cathedral for a funeral service today, according to the reports, and will be buried on Monday.
"Queen of Katwe" tells the story of a young Ugandan chess prodigy named Phiona Mutesi. Waligwa starred as a friend of Mutesi.
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Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo also starred in the film.
Oyelowo, 43, took to Instagram to share his grief over losing his co-star.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We mourn the loss of our beautiful Nikita Pearl Waligwa," he wrote. "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."
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The post contained a photo of Waligwa in character, holding up two chess pieces. A quote from her character was also featured in the image, reading: "In chess, the small one can become the big one."