Mulugeta Bekele: the jailed and tortured scientist who kept Ethiopian physics alive

Mulugeta Bekele: the jailed and tortured scientist who kept Ethiopian physics alive

In the turbulent 1970s and 1980s, when Ethiopia was under the brutal rule of the Derg military junta, few academics dared to stay in the country. Many fled to avoid persecution, but Mulugeta Bekele, a physicist, chose to remain. His decision to stay was driven by a deep commitment to his field and a desire to educate the next generation of Ethiopian scientists. Despite facing arrest, torture, and the constant threat of danger, Mulugeta persevered, almost single-handedly keeping physics alive in Ethiopia.

Mulugeta Bekele was born in 1947 in a small town near Asela, south of Addis Ababa. His early education was shaped by a single secondary school that relied on volunteer teachers from abroad. Among these teachers was a US Peace Corps volunteer named Ronald Lee, who taught history, mathematics, and science. Lee was a charismatic educator who would climb trees during physics lessons to demonstrate pulleys and held special after-school calculus classes for advanced students. Mulugeta and his peers were captivated by Lee's passion and creativity, which ignited a lifelong interest in science.

When Mulugeta enrolled at Haile Selassie 1 University (now Addis Ababa University) in 1965, he declared his intention to study both mathematics and physics. However, the university informed him that he could only pursue one subject. "I told myself that if I choose mathematics, I will miss physics," Mulugeta recalls. "But if I do physics, I will be continually engaged with mathematics." Thus, he chose physics, a decision that would shape his life and the future of Ethiopian science.

During his third year of study, Mulugeta's academic journey faced a challenge. The university's only physics teacher, an American named Ennis Pilcher, left the country. With no other faculty members available to teach the subject, Mulugeta and his peers were left without a physics curriculum. Undeterred, Mulugeta decided to teach himself the subject using textbooks and resources he could find. His determination paid off when he graduated with a degree in physics in 1969.

After completing his studies, Mulugeta returned to his alma mater as a lecturer. He quickly became the only physics teacher at the university, a position he held for decades. Despite the lack of resources and the political instability of the time, Mulugeta dedicated himself to teaching and research. He built a small but vibrant community of physicists, inspiring countless students to pursue careers in the field.

Mulugeta's dedication to his work did not go unnoticed by the Derg regime. In 1977, he was arrested and brutally tortured by members of the military junta. He was accused of being part of a conspiracy against the government, but Mulugeta maintains that his only crime was his love for physics and his commitment to education. "I still have scars," he says, referring to the physical and emotional wounds inflicted during his time in captivity.

Despite the trauma he endured, Mulugeta refused to abandon his mission. He continued teaching and researching, even after his release from prison. His unwavering commitment to his field earned him international recognition when he was awarded the Sakharov Prize by the American Physical Society in 2012. The prize honored his tireless efforts in defending human rights, freedom of expression, and education, as well as his inspiration to colleagues and students worldwide.

Today, Mulugeta Bekele, now 79, is retired but still actively involved in research. He continues to mentor young physicists and advocates for the importance of science education in Ethiopia. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring impact of a single individual's dedication to their passion. Mulugeta Bekele's legacy serves as a beacon of hope for future generations of Ethiopian scientists, proving that even in the darkest of times, the spirit of inquiry can prevail.