The unregistered Rwandan opposition party United Democratic Forces (FDU)-Inkingi is accusing the government of failing to accord its leader Victoire Ingabire, who is serving a 15-year sentence, urgent medical care.

The party also says it has been denied permission to give Ms Ingabire medical care at its cost, allegations that the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) denies. RCS says that the politician has been accorded full access to medical care and has no urgent need of treatment.

It is not clear who is telling the truth, with both sides maintaining their positions, while persistent requests to visit Ms Ingabire by the media and the party have been denied.

According to Boniface Twagirimana, the first vice president of the FDU-Inkingi, the party is “very concerned” about Ingabire’s health, which requires urgent attention.

“We are concerned about this lack of medical care for political prisoner Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, who has been ill since July 24. Our efforts to afford her the medical care she needs at our own cost have been turned down by RCS. We are calling upon the government to address this issue with immediate effect,” said Mr Twagirimana.

In a statement, the party alleges that Ms Ingabire, who is being held in Nyarugenge RCS facility, commonly known as 1930, was subjected to various forms of torture, claims which RCS has dismissed.

But RCS spokesperson Hillary Sengabo termed FDU’s claims as ridiculous and baseless, saying that Ms Ingabire is accorded all necessary medical care. He said that the facility has a fully operational dispensary that tends to medical needs of inmates but Ms Ingabire is also taken to referral hospitals, including the University Central Teaching Hospital and King Faisal Hospital, when the need arises.

Mr Sengabo said that Ms Ingabire had a medical check-up on July 27 and that no serious health issues were found.

“We are always ready to send her to King Faisal Hospital if she has an urgent need,” said Mr Sengabo, adding that in May and February, she was taken to KFH for routine medical check-ups.

He said that Ms Ingabire has no known medical condition or dietary needs and the regular medical check-ups are to ensure that she is in good health. RCS accuses FDU Inkingi of creating scenarios and making baseless allegations for its own political gains.

Ms Ingabire, 47, was found guilty on charges of threatening state security by creating an armed group and inciting the masses.