Good explanation for why aliens can't build nuclear engines?

"Aliens used uranium and plutonium to generate energy for thousands of years. However, by the time they got into space exploration, they've used up every last bit of it. That's why they'll have to try leaving their high-gravity planet with chemical engines."

This sounds good to me, but I fear that there are options I'm not considering. Have I given enough explanation for why nuclear energy can't be used? Are there other ways they could make use of nuclear energy? How can I explain away all the ways they might still be able to make use of nuclear energy to heat up their fuel?

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Good explanation for why aliens can't build nuclear engines?

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