By Catherine Byaruhanga, BBC News, Kabojja, Uganda
In the middle of the day on the outskirts of Kampala, hundreds of mourners huddled under tarpaulin tents and trees for Waligwa’s burial.
From the speeches given, especially by Waligwa’s mother and father, the toll of her long battle against cancer comes to light.
Three recurring tumours and almost as many surgeries left her young body weaker and more fragile.
Her mother, Rachel Asiimwe Waligwa, talked of her daughter’s pain but also the grace with which she managed to carry on through difficult times.
The cost of Nikita’s treatment from her first diagnosis in 2016 was supported by the Disney company which produced Queen of Katwe, relatives, family friends and her parents’ colleagues. Many of them attended the funeral.
Her story resonates because a beautiful talented girl who achieved success at a young age, died much sooner than she should have.
