This is the only permanent that destroys itself, so this is a likely minor bug.
It appears similar to other bugs where the slot still registers a certain variable and the next object to sit in there gets it. I suspect that it was just forgotten that UG can be destroyed when it is protected and this bug appeared.
I was playing an Immorush that had UGs and the UG got protected. It was in slot one, there were no pillars. They detonated it next turn. Afterwards they played another UG. It was autoprotected already.
Sorry, I'm absentminded and forgot to take screenies.